How Does Child-Centered Instruction Impact Early Literacy?
Most of us were familiar with traditional or conventional education, which was teacher-centered instruction. The teacher chose the topics and the pace of the class. The teacher was a classroom lecturer, presenting information to the students, who were expected to passively receive the information. Individual exploration was not part of the agenda. Today, however, there’s a welcome alternative to teacher-centered instruction. It’s a learning style called child-centered instruction, or student-centered learning.
What Is Child-Centered Instruction?
As you might guess from the name, child-centered instruction focuses on the child. While still in the classroom, the teacher functions more as a coach while students work independently – exploring, practicing and learning at their own pace. Students take a collaborative role in their own learning. The learning experiences are continually adjusted for each student based on an assessment of their needs and interests. That makes learning more personal. That’s exciting for young learners – or for any student at any age, for that matter.
Components To a Child-Centered Classroom
In the University of San Diego’s “The Complete Guide to Student-Centered vs. Teacher-Centered Learning,” a student-centered or child-centered classroom is described this way:
- Students may have some choice in the topics they cover.
- Students work in pairs, in groups or alone depending on the activity.
- The instructor provides feedback or corrections only when questions arise.
- Students evaluate their own learning alongside the instructor.
The Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute also weighs in on student-centered learning with four tenets:
- Learning is personalized.
- Learning is competency-based.
- Learning happens anytime and anywhere.
- Students take ownership of their learning and have agency.
Today, many early learning centers are moving toward a student-centered style of learning. Kumon, for example, has been way ahead of the curve, employing the student-centered model in the U.S. since 1983. A self-learning program, Kumon provides individualized instruction planned by an Instructor and practiced daily. Children work independently, even at a young age.
In fact, each child works at their own pace, using daily worksheets that keep them interested, focused and learning. They develop critical thinking skills and the mindset to learn new materials independently. The Instructor is there to give advice or hints but only when necessary, providing just enough guidance for students to be able to do the exercises on their own. The Instructor also monitors each child’s progress and interest and picks topics to which they can relate. The instruction given in child-centered learning is never a one-size-fits-all approach.
How Does Child-Centered Learning Translate To Early Literacy?
How do children learn their ABCs in a child-centered approach? Using a carefully crafted, worksheet-based reading curriculum, early learners practice repeating and reciting words and start to connect words to pictures. They share books, practice pencil skills and count numbers – all independently but with the Instructor close by for support. Academically, children could easily end up studying well beyond their school grade level.
What do early learners think of child-centered learning? Just witness the smiles on their faces as they study in the classroom and at home. Their sense of pride and accomplishment is unmistakable.