Importance of Character Development in Early Childhood
Introduction
Purpose of the study
Childhood is a very vital stage of human development. It is considered a platform on which other stages of human development would be based as an individual matures. Among such developments, is character building, which not only influences the nature of life that one is likely to live, but also on how he/she would relate to the world in general. Based these assertions, the main objective or purpose of the study would be assessing the importance of character development in early childhood.
This study is purposefully meant to educate more people and enlighten the participants on the importance of character maturation in the essential period described as the early childhood development period. This is particularly important because it increases the appreciation of such participants with regard to the subject of the study. Through such enlightenment and education it is valid to conclude that among the primary purposes of this study is to make a better generation in terms of appreciation of the subject in early childhood years.
Personal professional statement
When I was in high school, my main objective was to be a professional child instructor. This is a profession I had fancied for quite a long time because as a student in elementary school. I thought the greatest and most powerful position one could achieve was to be an instructor of children because from what I had seen in those years, the instructors literally controlled the way in which children thought, reasoned out and did things. Upon completion of high school studies, I was caught up in the confusion of the presence of a number of professions and attractive careers in the real world. Adding to the confusion was the fact that people came up with different advises regarding the way forward for everyone that had completed high school including myself (Parens, 2008). I had to take some time to evaluate the various opportunities that presented themselves with the aim of choosing the best profession that could satisfy both my career needs and appeal to the society most importantly my family, and all well wishers that came up with different advises on choice of careers.
Upon close evaluation, I decided to pursue the field of education. It was clear that from this field my dream of becoming a child instructor was still alive and was not far from being achieved. It remained the source of my motivation all through my undergraduate studies. I soon realized that education could provide a strong foundation for anyone that wanted to instruct people in the early childhood years because the course offered instructional skills and had a significant bit of psychological development studies which could help me, and anyone that wanted to pursue early child hood instructors’ course, understand the manner in which children learnt and developed both intellectually and physically, along their learning course (MacNaughton, 2003). With this knowledge and justification, I made a decision to carry on with my studies in the university knowing that not far from where I was stood my opportunity to venture into new areas of academic research.
Soon, I was through with my undergraduate studies, and was ready to venture into the corporate world, where my career journey would begin. At this point, I wanted hands on experience at childhood centers. As such I decided to volunteer in several children institutions. In these institutions, I worked in the capacity of an assistant instructor where I dealt directly with the children as well as other members of staff. Not confident with my position, I decided to consult with my colleagues at every point, careful not to make a mistake with regard to instructing the children as a teacher and acting as a member of the core administration. My key determination was to change the old perception that ECD was an elementary course that was not to be taken seriously as other courses in higher institutions. During the time I was acting as a volunteer, I got to meet many new people with whom we shared a lot of ideas regarding the position of ECD in educational development and intellectual maturity in the average human being in their pursuit for education and enlightenment (Sutterby & Sutterby, 2011). The real world experiences opened up my eyes to the reality that there was still a lot to be done as far as character development was concerned. I also realized that such traits as trust, honesty, discipline and obedience had to be cultivated in children so as to form a strong social foundation for them.
Before embarking on the quest to understand the role of character development, I did contribute many opinions that I thought would enhance better performance and lay grounds for further research. I voluntarily worked for several institutions specializing in early childhood development as a volunteer before I finally got employed formally as a permanent instructor at a local childhood development centre. This added to my experience and widened the scope of my research with a narrow focus on the importance of character development in early childhood years as I realized that ECD was quite essential in shaping the future endeavors in the higher learning institutions.
Background
During the time that I was practicing as a volunteer, as well as when I was employed as a permanent instructor, I gained a lot of knowledge and got more interested in learning about, and taking care of children because they are interesting to be with an can help an individual learn deeper and important lessons with regard to human development (Parens, 2008). During this time, I realized that it is through children that one could learn the different roles that nature and nurture play in the development of a person both mentally and emotionally. Working with children was the most enlightening eye opener in my career because it exposed me to the need to understand what role character development plays in early childhood years, especially in institutionalized instructions and care.
Through working with different professionals from different fields, I got to understand the importance of sharing views in a multi disciplinary setting where the child was the central subject matter. Among all the views we exchanged and shared, the most important was the need to understand the importance of character development in the course of instructing children in the institutions. In the search for satisfaction on the author’s part as well as the part of the participants, understanding the importance of character development became apparently essential. This means that it will satisfy the author and the participants as well as the institutions involved. The patience needed when working with children was a primary factor to be considered in establishing the foundation for the study.
Significance
The study is quite significant when looked at from various viewpoints primarily the author’s position, the participant’s advantage, and the institutions needs. Speaking of such importance, the study is aimed at developing the professional landscape of the author with regard to early childhood development and administering instruction to young ones (ages 0-6 years) while observing their progress with time. At this point, it is important to mention that character development is majorly concerned with the continuous early childhood development of the children between the abovementioned age brackets. Therefore, it is fundamental to mention that the essence of the study revolves around a number of stakeholders. Successful completion of the study will significantly enhance communication in the context of character development. This is because through understanding a child’s development process, an instructor will know psychological needs of a toddler (MacNaughton, 2003). Perhaps one of the most important points worth noting is the fact that the study will provide some kind of important framework and instructional guide for the interdisciplinary team associated with children in the 0-6 age bracket.
References
MacNaughton, G. (2003). Shaping early childhood: Learners, curriculum and contexts. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
McCartney, K., & Phillips, D. (2011). Blackwell Handbook of Early Childhood Development. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Parens, H. (2008). The development of aggression in early childhood. Lanham: Jason Aronson.
Sutterby, J. A., & Sutterby, John A. (2011). The early childhood educator professional development grant: Research and practice. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Pub. Ltd.
