Which one of the following choices is the most effective way to teach skills and concepts to infants and?

Question

toddlers?

a. by clearly separating play and learning times.

b. by providing play and real-life experiences.

c. by providing drills and repetition.

d. by providing toys approved by experts.

Answer 1

b

Answer 2

Okay, I'll explain this one instead of just giving the answer away...it's not a. because infants and toddlers learn through play so play IS learning time.  It's not c. because I think drilling them is like trying to force them to learn something.  It's not d. because even the most simple or home made toys can teach the same concepts or skills as real expensive "expert approved" toys.  So, it's b.---the more real-life experiences the better too...children learn through experience so take the infants and todds out for walks and point out the tiniest details--grass, trees, birds, clouds, etc.  Plant flowers so they can watch them grow.

Edit:

Just so you know, the answer your teacher's most likely looking for is B.  I've had a lot of early childhood proffesors and all of them put very strong emphasis on the power of play and real life experiences.

Answer 3

Going to have to disagree with the above poster.  Here's what was said (with a response)

"Okay, I'll explain this one instead of just giving the answer away...it's not a. because infants and toddlers learn through play so play IS learning time."

At the same time, children also understand the concept of "work time" and "play time."  I was actually leaning towards this until I saw the other answers have validity to it as well.

"It's not c. because I think drilling them is like trying to force them to learn something."

Drilling, I agree.  But repetition is important.  A child does an activity over and over again to learn it - this is fundamental throughout the early years (and later years, too).  When a child freely chooses works in the Preschool/Kindergarten year through a long work cycle (we use 3 hours), they are learning by repeating the exercised continually.  I would ask clarification on whta you mean by drill.  Personally, I would take the word out and say "by providing repetition."  

" It's not d. because even the most simple or home made toys can teach the same concepts or skills as real expensive "expert approved" toys."

Doesn't that depend on exactly what the toy is?  And who the experts are?  Several toys can be used that provide the children a variety of learning opportunities.  Many teach size discrimination, order, stimulate imagination, and are fantastic.  Many are not.  So...that all depends on the toys.

"So, it's b"

It COULD be "b."  I see "B"s answer as too vague.  There's no plan of how to provide that play or that real-life experience.  It sounds like you need "a," "c," and "d" to do that for you.

Given this new information, what do you think?