PITC Graduate Conference 2005 Presenter: J. Ronald Lally, WestEd The Unique Learning Style of Infants

Infant Learning Difficult to segregate learning domains Difficult to segregate learning domains Learning happens holistically Learning happens holistically Learning originates in relationships Learning originates in relationships Child’s interest is key Child’s interest is key

“Young children are capable of deep feelings - lasting sadness, grief and disorganization in response to trauma, loss, and early personal rejection. They can be seriously compromised by such emotional impairments.” National Research Council

The Uniqueness of the Infancy Period Genetically programmed learning Genetically programmed learning 3 Major Stages of Development 3 Major Stages of Development Creation of First Sense of Self Creation of First Sense of Self Holistic Approach To Learning Holistic Approach To Learning

Emotions Drive Learning It is the pleasure and delight that babies get from interaction with people that drive them to relate to people more frequently and more skillfully. It is the pleasure and delight that babies get from interaction with people that drive them to relate to people more frequently and more skillfully. Emotional motive drives skill development. Emotional motive drives skill development. Stanley Greenspan

For school readiness to be a useful construct it has to be broad in scope. It must recognize social competence and emotional well-being as part of what is critical to school success and also recognize that readiness efforts have to start early.

Social & Emotional Competence From FAN : The Child Mental Health Foundations & Agencies Network Confidence Confidence Friendliness Friendliness Good peer relationships Good peer relationships Tackles & persists at challenging tasks Tackles & persists at challenging tasks Has good language development Has good language development Effectively communicates frustrations, anger & joy Effectively communicates frustrations, anger & joy Listens to instructions & is attentive Listens to instructions & is attentive

Steps to Being Held In Another’s Mind Attachment to a significant other. Attachment to a significant other. Feeling of loss when other is gone. Feeling of loss when other is gone. Reminded of other’s thoughts about you when not present. Reminded of other’s thoughts about you when not present. Incorporation of ongoing emotional connection with those thinking about you. Incorporation of ongoing emotional connection with those thinking about you.

The Creation of Shared Meaning Individual meaning presented to others. Individual meaning presented to others. Subjective acceptance by others of your point of view. Subjective acceptance by others of your point of view. Development of concept of common meaning. Development of concept of common meaning. Negotiation of meaning. Negotiation of meaning.

Teaching and Caring Gives simultaneous attention to the vulnerable and competent sides of the young child. It encompasses the new “3 Rs” of childrearing Relationship Relationship Responsiveness Responsiveness Respect Respect

Image of Teacher as a Researcher observe and listen to children’s ideas and actions observe and listen to children’s ideas and actions reflect on what you see and name children’s interests reflect on what you see and name children’s interests create learning encounters that will build on the children’s interests & your observations. create learning encounters that will build on the children’s interests & your observations. test and retest hypotheses test and retest hypotheses