21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

21ST CENTURY LEARNINGFOR EARLY CHILDHOODGUIDE

21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOREARLY CHILDHOODThe time to begin preparing children for the challenges and demands of the futureis when they are young. Children in the early years are curious and excited learners.It is our responsibility as parents, educators, policymakers, and administrators tocreate learning experiences and environments that tap into that natural curiosityand excitement. This includes not only supporting emerging skills in reading, math,science, and social studies, but also most importantly, the 21st century skills ofcritical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, technology literacy,and social-emotional development. Children need to begin to develop the earlyfoundational skills that will help them reason, think creatively, analyze data, andwork collaboratively in the future.This guide, and the accompanying 21st Century Skills Early Learning Framework(P21 ELF) (P21.org/ELF), is designed to support providers in after-schoolprograms, children’s learning centers, family care homes, preschools, homesupport services, education programs in children’s museums, and public schoolsin creating environments and experiences for early learners based on how childrenlearn and develop.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 2

EARLY CHILDHOODMost organizations and educators define early childhood as infancy throughkindergarten. We have focused on three age ranges within early childhood:TODDLERS/EARLY PRESCHOOLERSAges 18 months through 3 yearsPRESCHOOL/PRE-KINDERGARTENAges 3 through 4 yearsKINDERGARTENAges 5 through 6 yearsBecause children learn skills at varying rates of development, there will always be anoverlap between the age ranges.This guide covers four key areas to support the integration of 21st century learningwithin early childhood experiences:HOW CHILDREN LEARN 21ST CENTURY SKILLSTEN STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDREN BUILD21ST CENTURY SKILLSCREATING THE OPTIMAL 21STCENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTIMPORTANCE OF FAMILY ENGAGEMENT21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 3

HOW CHILDREN LEARN 21STCENTURY SKILLSNeuroscientists, educators, and early childhood development experts agree thatearly experiences have a major impact on the development of the brain and learningas adults. The brain has the greatest plasticity, or is the most flexible, during infancythrough age five to accommodate a wide range of experiences, interactions, andenvironments. For example, three year olds have twice as many brain “connections”as adults. A young child’s experiences with parents and other caring adults, along withsocial and physical environment, help to “prune” and “sculpt” these neural connectionsas they are used. The connections become more efficient building a solid foundationfor all learning. Thus, the development of the young brain is cumulative layering offoundational skills influenced by relationships, experiences, and environments. This iswhy nurturing emerging social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills in the earlyyears is critically important.PLAYFUL LEARNINGPlay is at the heart of how young children learn. Through play, childrendemonstrate what they are learning, what they are interested in, and what theyare concerned about. They test out and practice actions to which they’ve beenexposed. When we observe children at play we begin to learn more about whatthey understand and can identify the skills that need more practice. This informsour efforts to guide them to the next level.ADULT INTERACTIONSAdults, children’s peers, older children, and siblings are important and integral inthe playful learning process. Adults guide children and arrange environments tosupport the learning process. Through materials and interaction, adults can helpchildren identify associations with and make connections to previously learnedskills. This is often called guided play, a child-directed process wherein adultsbuild on children’s interests and extend what they are doing in the moment tointentionally achieve additional learning goals. This authentic approach helps tomake the learning “stick” because it is more meaningful and relevant to the child.Adults can “teach” self-regulation, for example, by instructing children to standquietly and not move. They could, however, stand longer and manage greaterself-regulation by internalizing the purpose when pretending they are soldiersguarding a castle. This illustrates the potency of playful learning for buildingskills when children perceive it as fun and rewarding. It often pushes children toengage in activities more fully.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 4

Educators in more formal learning settings, such as preschools and childcare centers, play a significant role in expanding learning through theimplementation of intentionally planned and developmentally appropriatecurriculum. Such programs should be designed to be responsive not only tothe children’s interests, but include learning objectives based on children’sskill levels and abilities. Structured activities involve daily schedules withpredictable yet flexible routines. Children thrive in environments where stressis reduced through children’s understanding of expectations and what comesnext. The schedule of learning activities within the curriculum should includeall areas of development: physical, cognitive, social and emotional, languageand literacy, and 21st century skills.PEER INTERACTIONSPeer interactions are another important context for learning. When engagedin peer play, children observe others and will imitate or build on what theyobserve. They gain social and emotional skills when they make efforts tocreate games and coordinate activities with each other. For example, childrenlearn self-regulation when they develop and play rule-based games and theylearn perspective when they negotiate the themes within dramatic playactivities with others.LEARNING EVERYWHEREPlayful learning occurs beyond the school or child-care setting. It occurseverywhere. It occurs when parents are running errands, when children playwith others in a park, or in after-school settings. This type of learning is oftendescribed as informal learning. Children spend most of their time in informalversus in more formal settings. Taking advantage of these opportunities helpschildren make connections to the larger world. Children are inspired to learnbecause of the desire to know how to do something or engage with others.The reward is relevant and enjoyable since it is based on the children’s realtime experiences.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 5

TEN STRATEGIES TO HELP CHILDRENLEARN 21ST CENTURY SKILLSThese ten essential strategies help apply what we know about how children learnto support the delivery of optimal 21st century early learning experiences – inschool and beyond.CHILD-CENTEREDLook for opportunities to focus on children’s interests. If children watch andshow interest in a plane flying over them, take the opportunity to exploreflight, make paper planes, or soar around outside pretending to be planes.Children are more likely to engage in child-led activities and to concentrateon them through direct instruction.WHOLE CHILD FOCUSProvide opportunities to help children develop skills beyond early language,literacy, and mathematics. Offer feedback and encouragement on a regularbasis to reinforce skill development in essential skills, social-emotionaldevelopment, and to foster self-esteem.PLAY-BASEDEncourage all types of play within the learning environment – dramatic,constructive, creative, physical, and cooperative play.COOPERATIVE LEARNINGProvide opportunities for children to play and interact with each other (e.g.dramatic play, puppet play, rule-based games, etc.). Design activities wherechildren have opportunities to solve problems and innovate together.BLENDED APPROACHConnect online play with hands-on play. Provide opportunities for childrento explore and test skills online to create a more personalized experienceallowing children to learn at their own pace. Learning is enhanced if thehands-on playful activities are connected to what is learned online.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 6

FLEXIBLE ATTITUDEBe willing to change the plan. If the children are excited about a game they areplaying, but it is time to read a story in circle time, build on what they are doing,and ask them talk about their game or find a story that connects to the game.DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTIONChange it up. When guiding children use different approaches and considerthe learning styles of each child. Some children need to be more activewhile others may prefer a calmer pace. For example, in teaching children tocount, have them sing out the numbers, provide materials they can countwhen playing, or include counting as part of a story you read to them. Thisapproach offers multiple options for children to absorb information.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTObserve children as they play. What skills have they developed and what arethey just beginning to learn? Use this ongoing feedback to adjust activitiesand the learning environment to build on what they know and introduce newconcepts and content.CONSISTENCYCreate routines and expectations to help children feel secure, giving themthe confidence and freedom to explore the environment. Consistency alsosupports the development of executive function skills such as planning andorganizing, and self-regulation.COMBINE LEARNING DOMAINSOffer learning experiences to help children develop the 4Cs – criticalthinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication – while developingcontent knowledge. This intentional approach can be done while reading astory and discussing the characters or during a science experiment throughthe problem solving experience.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 7

CREATING THE OPTIMAL 21STCENTURY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTIn addition to the strategies, the environment, whether in informal or more formalsettings, has a significant impact on the way children learn and develop. We knowhow much our environment affects our mood, motivation, and the ability to focus. Itis the same for young children.The P21 ELF (P21.org/ELF) includes suggestions for each 21st century learning skillarea. A developmentally appropriate and engaging environment is one that:IS SAFE AND PREDICTABLEChildren thrive when they feel safe and know what to expect. Transitionsshould be smooth, easy, and stress-free.NURTURES CHILDRENCreate a welcoming environment where children are encouraged and respondedto, to support a strong self-image and positive interactions with others.FOCUSES ON THE LEARNERDisplay their work! Children’s work and projects should be posted around theenvironment to inspire creativity and innovation. Commercial graphics andmaterials should be kept to a minimum.PROVIDES A VARIETY OF MATERIALSProvide access to a variety of developmentally appropriate materials in thespace where they can use them independently.OFFERS VARYING TYPES OF ACTIVITIESInclude a mix of activities based on children’s interests in a variety ofexperiences such as whole group, small group, playing in pairs, or independentinstruction to support problem solving, collaboration, and communication.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 8

OFFERS DIVERSITYSelect materials and activities that reflect all cultures and families within thecommunity to support children in becoming global citizens. They should alsoreflect all types of learners and children with disabilities.INTEGRATES TECHNOLOGYBuild an environment where children learn to use technology that is age/developmentally-appropriate, monitored, and contains educational andpositive content to enhance creativity and information gathering.ALLOWS FOR FREE MOVEMENTAllow for children to move throughout a space and support them as theyinvestigate their environment.21ST CENTURY LEARNING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD 9