Application of Theory to Practice

Running head : Teacher 's Role in Child Development

Teacher 's Role in Child Development in the Classroom Perspective

By

Abstract

The importance of a teacher in the development of children is indisputable . A teacher in to instruct effectively needs to understand the stages of child development . According to Jean Piaget there are four stages of child development , namely Sensorimotor Stage Preoperational Stage , Concrete Operational Stage and Formal Operational Stage . Different theorists presented different types of instruction strategies depending upon their view of child development . The significance of a teacher

's role is multifold in an early childhood classroom and the greatest challenge is dealing with diversity

A teacher affects eternity he can never tell where his influence stops

Henry Brooks Adams

The importance of a teacher 's role in the intellectual development of children is undeniable . In the past , teaching was a combination of information-dispensing , custodial childcare and sorting out academically inclined students from others (Lanier , 1997 . Over the passage of time , teacher 's role in child development has changed considerably . It has been understood that instruction is not just lecturing the students who sit in rows at desks , listening and recording what they hear Schools are centers of lifelong learning and teaching is recognized as one of the most challenging and respected professions , absolutely necessary for social , cultural and economic health of a nation . Nowadays the role of teacher is to get to know each student , individually , to understand his or her needs , learning style , social background interests and capabilities . Their job is to provide guidance to students as they grow , helping them integrate their social , emotional , and intellectual growth . The way a teacher behaves and communicates in the classroom has a lasting effect on the child 's personality . Thus , it becomes important for the teacher to understand the various stages of child 's development in to articulate his or her conduct accordingly

The developmental changes that occur from birth to adulthood were largely ignored throughout history . Children were often viewed simply as small versions of adults . Interest in the field of child development began early in the 20th century . Many theories of child development have been proposed since . An understanding of these theories may be able to explain any peculiarity of behavior by a child . It may prove to be a pertinent guideline for the teacher

An endeavor has been made in this essay to analyze and project a teacher 's role in the development of a child . Firstly , different stages of child development are presented followed by different theories of child development and the role teachers should play accordingly . Then the role of teacher in early childhood classroom is discussed . The discussion on equity and diversity in classroom is given before the concluding passage

Stages of Child Development

According to Jean Piaget , children are not less intelligent than adults they simply think in a different way . Piaget presented a stage theory describing the cognitive development of children . He asserted that cognitive development in children takes...