Children Teaching Teachers

The emphasis of the ECE program is to promote active learning which respects the interests and competence of each child. We believe that by working in groups, children and adults can help one-another co-construct knowledge as they explore rich, interesting and aesthetic environments. Working collaboratively is therefore a major focus of the program.

The program instructors strive to model these approaches to working with children, by creating environments for students that reflect these practices. One learning method we use is called Children Teaching Teachers (CTT). During CTT children from local child care centres and/or kindergarten are invited to participate one morning a week in learning environments created by the students. During these mornings some of the students work directly with the children, while others observe, photograph or videotape the activities. The afternoon is spent discussing and analyzing the morning experiences, and planning for the children's next session by expanding on learning experiences which seemed to be of interest to the children. Students in their first semester participate in similar activities with infants and toddlers and their parents.