Introduction & Bibliography

In this blog I shall be looking at four different contexts that I believe have a massive influence on 21^st century learning. The four contexts I have chosen are Play, Montessori, Key Stage/National Curriculum and the Foundation Phase. These four contexts are closely linked in my opinion as they’re a key aspect of 21^st century learning. Play has been under massive debate especially in America of recent about the usefulness and value of it with in children’s education and there for I will be looking at the importance of Play and the learning aspects that are developed from Play. Montessori is a different aspect of education and has developed and spread worldwide and therefor is an important aspect of education in the 21^st century because of its fast and influential development in the 20^th century. There are estimated to be 22000 Montessori nurseries across 100 different countries around the world (Background; The History of Montessori and MCI, 2012) and I believe strongly that the child’s development at a young age is important for their future. 

This leads me to my next topic which is key stage 2/National Curriculum. This part of a child’s education is the second most valuable in my opinion as children see that drastic change from key stage 2 to key stage 3 when they enter higher education. Therefor I shall be exploring key stage 2 and the importance of the type of development we expect to see from children at this age. I spend one day a week in a year 3 classroom contributing to voluntary work and this is exceptional experience as I can witness first-hand what key stage 2 is all about. This leads me to my final context I have chosen which is the foundation phase. I will be exploring how beneficial the foundation phase is to children’s education and how successful it is in fulfilling parents and their children’s needs.

Word Count: 2,192.

Bibliography

Background; The History of Montessori and MCI. (n.d.). Retrieved 04 15, 2013, from Montessori Centre International Distance Learning: http://distancelearning.montessori.org.uk/background/

BBC. (2007, 09). BBC . Retrieved 03 30, 2013, from The School Gate For Parents in Wales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/schoolgate/aboutschool/content/curriculumprimary.shtml

Elementary, A. (n.d.). ACP Elementary. Retrieved 04 18, 2013, from A Childs Place: http://www.a-childs-place.com/characteristics.shtml

Elkind, D. (2007). The power of play: How spontaneous, imaginative activities lead to happier, healthier children. . Cambridge: MA: Da Capo Press.

Isaacs, B. (2012). Understanding the Montessori Approach : Early Years Education in Practice 1st ed. London: Routledge.

Phillips, H. (2012). The Foundation Phase. 55-65.

Reeve, C. (2012). Play With Learning. Retrieved 04 23, 2013, from Play With Learning: http://playwithlearning.com/tag/vygotsky/

Sheridan, M. D., Harding, J., & Meldon-Smith, L. (2002). Play in Early Childhood : From Birth to Six Years. London: Routledge.

Tepperman, J. (2007). Play In The Early Years: Key To School Success. 1-8.

Welsh Goverment. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 30, 2013, from Foundation Phase: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/curriculuminwales/arevisedcurriculumforwales/foundationphase/;jsessionid=0B43E21BDFC368F8CF0DFD0A4559F86E?lang=en

Zigler, E., & Bishop-Josef, S. (2006). Zigler, E. & The cognitive child vs. the whole child: Lessons from 40 years of Head Start. USA: Yale University.