MARCO TÉORICO

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3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Visual Experiences

A child absorbs knowledge through the use of the senses. Visual experiences refer to the knowledge or observation of facts gained by means of the eye senses. Colourful mobiles of cardboard and glass paper, small tins or reels or small, stuffed cloth figures can be hung. The child should be propped up so that he can see around him instead of continuously gazing at the ceiling. Let his eyes follow objectives such as rattle, toy or even the care-giver’s hand. A four or five months old child should be given big, colourful, picture and toys.

3.2 Auditory Experiences

The child also learns and gains knowledge about the world around him through the use of his ears i.e. organs for hearing or the auditory senses.

The care-giver should talk to the child as he is fed, changed or played with; play soft music – most normal children respond to music. The caregiver should sing and provide him with rattles, bells and squeaky toys etc., which will expose him to different sounds. As the baby grows older, recite simple nursery rhymes with actions, name familiar object and body parts, read aloud simple stories from picture books.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

Explain how you can foster visual experience in a daycare centre.

3.3 Physical Exercise

The caregiver must bear in mind that the child needs so much to exercise the whole of his body. Therefore, it is essential that the child be allowed to kick freely; do not bundle or tie up his arm and legs in a sheet, as this will restrict his movement. Exercise his arms and legs by raising them and bending them while making it an enjoyable experience by talking to him and smiling at him. As the child begins to crawl, provide him with sufficient space. Remove sharp and dangerous objects around. Tape any plug point which may be reachable. Remove breakable objects and put a railing along the verandah to make sure that the child does not stray outside or fall down the stairs. Provide him with plastic balls that he can play with. As the child learns to walk, provide him with pull-along toys.

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3.4 Language Experiences

Although, at this stage the child is unable to use language in the real sense, it is important that he be exposed to as many language experiences as possible. The infant should be spoken to, read to, even though he cannot respond.

3.5 Manipulative and Tactile Experiences

A wide variety of toys and objects should be provided to encourage the child to hold, grasp and bang. Rattles, old plastic spoons, small pans which do not have sharp edges, squeaky toys, and toys with moveable parts and blocks should be provided. The toys should not be too large or small; they should be big enough for the child to grasp. Old newspapers are a popular item which children gleefully pull, tear and thrash around.

Playing with water is also a joyful experience and the children become familiar with the feel of water. Big crayons can also be given for scribbling on paper.

3.6 Social Experiences

The essence of early childhood education is to give children a loving and responsive environment with adults encouraging and supporting them. The absence of strong, affectionate and caring relationships may retard children’s curiosity and consequently lead to intellectual, social and emotional problems (Osanyin, 2002).

This is a crucial stage for forming relationships. The caregiver should be ready to regularly hold the child, tickle him, talk to him and play simple games. The child should be called by his name and exposed with care to others in the environment. The child should be encouraged to interact with adults and peers in his environment.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE

In what ways can you foster manipulative and tactile experience in an infant?

4.0 CONCLUSION

The task of providing developmentally appropriate environment for the infant requires careful recognition on the part of the teacher, of the various aspects of experience that the child can be exposed to.

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5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit, you have learnt that:

i. In Day Care Centres, teaching is mostly done indirectly and through non-formal methods.

ii. Activities that promote development may be classified into social, emotional, physical and cognitive.

iii. Each activity promotes more than one kind of development.

iv. For proper development to take place, preschool activities should focus on enriching all aspects of children’s experiences.

v. A child absorbs knowledge through the use of his or her senses of touch, eyes and ears.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. In what ways can you foster visual experiences in a day care centre?

2. Explain the following terms:

a. Manipulative and Tactile Experiences b. Language experiences

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Osanyin, F. A. (2002). Early childhood education in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria: Concept Publications.

VLNET (1999). Caregiver training manual.

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MODULE 3