Theories in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education philosophies of leaning and is the key for behavioural, cognitive and social development.  It is very important for all child's development.  Therefore, theories will provides a comprehensive overview of children's learning.


The theory that I like the most is Reinforcement theory because as we know that  preschool classroom is a place of fun and excitement. The children are learning new things about the world. They are also expanding their social skills by making new friends and learning to work together.   According the Behaviorism theory by Skinner (1938), linking a new behaviour to a stimulus by providing reinforcement after the correct behaviour is produced.   “Skinner feels that to strengthen a behaviour or response, humans need positive or negative reinforcement.  In his opinion, personality is a behaviour shown by an individual when interacting in their own environment and the principles of reinforcement is to maintain the personality represent permanently”. (Hamzah, Samuel & Kastawi, 2009, pp. 87).  “As a result of Skinner’s work, operant conditioning became broadly applied learning principle”. (Berk, 2009, pp. 19).  Furthermore, teachers can use reinforce positive behaviour in the classroom to modify the negative behavior to the positive behavior on the children.


The theory that I don't like is Jean Jacques Rosseaux, his theory about noble savages, it is naturally endowed with a sense of right and wrong and with an innate.  Because as for my opinion, even human is endowed with a sense of right and wrong but if we (as adult) do not nurture the young children, they might not know things that they did is right or wrong.  Therefore, it is very important that, we need to nurture the children when they are at the young stage.  Because children need experience and environment and guidance to develop or shape their learning development.