Constuctivist Intentions: The Child-Adult Partnership with Self-Directed Experiences

Child gives dad the thumbs up!

The role of parents and caregivers in a child’s life is profoundly important. The adult-child relationship impacts many areas in a child's life showing to have a positive impact not only on a child's health and development, but also educational progress, as well as life choices. The bond that is created between a child and caring adult can have positive effects well into the teen years and beyond. 

On my own, investigating air & more!

Self-directed experiences,too, have been shown to have long-lasting effects on learning. Learning that is self-directed respects the interests and pace of the learner.  The caregiver becomes a facilitator who guides learning rather than teaches specific content. The facilitator/caregiver observes the child’s interests and then capitalizes on those interests by furthering discussion that encourages critical thinking.  If a child’s interest is drawing, painting or coloring, ask, “Why did you choose those colors/shapes?” or, “Tell me about                 .”  

Many children love water play!  While they are playing in a tub of water at a table or in a bath, include measuring cups or other containers and ask, “What happens when you fill the cup with a little water?  How about a lot?”  Encouraging a child to give a verbal explanation can go a long way in developing valuable thinking skills. 

These are just a couple of examples of the many things that you can do to nurture a child-adult partnership and encourage self-directed learning experiences.  Whether in a classroom or at home, try some activities that interest the children in your life—and know that the experiences you have can have a great impact on their development and learning for a lifetime!  

References: 
American Psychological Association, Parents and Caregivers Are Essential to Children’s Healthy Development at www.apa.org/topics/parenting.

National Education Association at www.nea.org

Search Institute, Family Assets at www.search-institute.org/familyassets

Shaw, Benjamin with Neal Krause, Linda M. Chatters, Cathleen M Connell, and Berit Ingersoll-Dayton (2004), Emotional Support From Parents Early in Life, Aging, and Health.