Teaching Philosophy
...e still thinking egocentrically, and into the concrete operational stage where children are considering logical solutions and more about the world around them. Keeping these stages in mind assists me in understanding children’s actions. Social acceptance and cognitive skills are explained using this theory, and will help me with my future instruction. Considering how children learn, I use the information acquired from studying Vygotsky. Keeping within, as Vygotsky calls it, a student’s zone of proximal development, is essential if learning is to take place. Teachers must also allow for the practice of private speech, something that is often omitted from instruction. It helps children with complex problem solving and can be modeled throughout a lesson. I also believe in the concept of scaffolding and plan on incorporating that into my planning since children require a lot of assistance at the beginning of their learning. This help can gradually be removed as the child becomes able. Teachers need to be keenly aware of the role they play in children’s lives, and therefore must strive to be mentors to these students. Implementing an effective classroom management plan, providing for a variety of le...