The project approach is a method of educating children with the use of project investigations (Clark, 2006). This method enhances in-depth comprehension and covers a vast range of important subtopics. The method also helps the teacher to assess the children’s individual interests, vocabulary and misconception in current knowledge. The method also provides an opportunity for children to meet their individual learning targets such as building confidence in learning or in a given personal strength to effectively collaborate with fellow classmates. Through project approach, children are able to apply knowledge and skills in their study of trees, buses, grocery stores or shoes. Evidently, project approach helps children learn about the significance of writing, numbers and reading in their surroundings.
Project approach is also characterized with several challenges. Project approach requires educators to effectively know their children, and to give them proper guidance in their examination. Therefore, a lot of time, effort, creativity and dedication are required to efficiently analyze children interests and strengths, and involve parental expertise. Children have several interests, hence, it is important for teachers to constantly communicate on the importance of each group’s interest and contribution. This poses a significant challenge for educators as they have to effectively plan the work to ensure there is cohesiveness and unity to each project (Clark, 2006). Project approach entails an unpredictable path according to the interests of specific children. This offers another challenge to teachers as they have to formulate a flexible framework which takes long (several weeks) to complete.
Educators who engage in project approach will change and grow (Koster, 2012). It offers educators an opportunity to engage in- depth thinking while interacting with the minds and hearts of young children. Teachers develop a solid guidance role as they help children examine topics with flexibility and purpose.
References
Clark, A. (2006). Changing classroom practice to include the Project Approach.
Early Childhood Research and Practice, 8(2). Retrieved from
http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v8n2/clark.html
Koster, J. B. (2012). Growing artists: Teaching the arts to young children. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
