Children's Principles of Learning

After reviewing my Principles for Children’s Learning, I haven’t made a lot of changes, but now they are more of a reminder of how children learn best.  As I read through these principles that I created about a year ago I was thinking about last year’s class and how I was able to honor these principles.  I’m now also thinking about this year’s class and trying to figure out if these principles are all applicable, attainable and important.  For the most part, the principles themselves haven’t changed, but the excitement that is created within myself while reading these has increased dramatically.  Last year I felt the stress of achieving and honoring all of them while teaching two ½ day sections of kindergarten.  This year I am teaching just one class of all day/every day kindergarten and I feel less stress when thinking about how I will honor these principles for this year’s class. 

I feel that the Principles for Children’s Learning (below) that I created last fall are important because with my teaching experience, these are best practices on how children learn best.  I honor these principles by modeling them in my teaching. 

Principles for Children’s Learning

Principle 1: Needs Assessment

● Children will know what they are learning and why they are learning it.

● Children will try despite obstacles that they may encounter.

● Children will be taught concepts through a differentiated learning approach.

● Children will learn in at their own level and when it is appropriate for them.

● Children will guide their own learning (to an extent) through discovery and hands-on learning approaches.

● Children will create a “Hopes & Dreams” list in which they will work towards an end goal.

Principle 2: Safety

● Children will feel safe, welcome and wanted in the environment at all times.

● Children will feel safe to approach the teacher and other staff members when they need help or have questions.

● Children will feel secure enough to take risks and try things that may be new to them & try again if they fail the first times.

● Children will feel a sense of affirmation when sharing thoughts, opinions, feelings & ideas with others.

● Children will feel safe knowing that there is a reason “why” they are learning a particular concept.

Principle 3: Sound Relationships

● Children & teachers will have a mutual respect for one another.

● Children will participate in whole group & small group discussions to encourage community & healthy relationships.

● Children will learn C.A.R.E.S Values (Cooperation, Assertion, Respect, Empathy, and Self- Control) to enhance sound relationships.

● Children will participate in making classroom rules (aka- “Hopes & Dreams”)

● Children will feel safe knowing that their teacher & peers, respect affirm and listen carefully to them.

Principle 4: Sequence and Reinforcement

● Children will learn at a pace that is appropriate for their development.

● Children will have their academic & social needs met by differentiation.

● Children will do their work according to their learning level and be held accountable for their learning.

● Children will see a posted schedule of the day’s events each day.

● Children will participate in differentiated Literacy Work Stations as a means for understanding and comprehension of taught concepts.

Principle 5: Praxis

● Children will try new skills and apply them to their daily work.

● Children will reflect on the skill that they are currently working on and will be held accountable.

● Children will practice what they have learned by playing/working at various Literacy

Work Stations.

● Children will apply concepts and skills to their daily work.

● Children will have learning materials and learning tasks in an appropriate sequence and at an adequate pace.

Principle 6: Respect for Learners

● Children will help decide their path of learning.

● Children will help make decisions on how they learn according and what they will learn about (tactile, kinesthetic, etc.)

● Children will have a choice of varied learning activities at each Literacy Work Station.

(Differentiation)

Principle 7: Ideas, Feelings & Actions

● Children will be able to express their ideas freely.

● Children will be able to express their feelings freely.

● Children will be able to move about and meet their own needs when appropriate.

Principle 8: Immediacy

● Children’s learning will be reinforced when appropriate.

● Children will get feedback in an appropriate time manner.

Principle 9: Clear Roles

● Children will know what their role is as a learner & community member in the classroom.

● Children will be teachers as learners and learners as teachers.

Principle 10: Teamwork

● Children will learn skills associated with teamwork.

● Children will be encouraged to work with peers that they get along with (and don’t always get along with-to learn this concept.)

● Children will be respectful to their peers and adults.

● Children will learn at Literacy Work Stations, Small-group & Whole-group times all while showing teamwork and being included.

● Children will work together in a safe manner.

Principle 11: Engagement

● Children will be actively engaged in their learning.

● Children will learn with and from one another.

● Children will be on-task while they are in the learning environment.

Principle 12: Accountability

● Children will be held accountable for their learning by providing good work.

● Children will be held accountable for their actions and words -appropriateness is a must!

Principle 13: Enjoyment

● Children will enjoy participating & contributing in the classroom.

● Children will enjoy coming to school and being part of a caring classroom community member.

● Children will enjoy learning new concepts.

● Children will enjoy meeting new people and learning about their background & experiences.

Principle 14: Positive Reinforcement

● Children will be given verbal positive reinforcement when they are performing well.

● Children will have an internal feeling that they are a part of a caring classroom environment.