COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course The Bank Street Approach in Early Childhood Education. This course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the Bank Street philosophy, a progressive approach to early childhood education that emphasises the holistic development of children through experiential and inquiry-based learning. By exploring the core values and principles of the Bank Street approach, educators will gain valuable insights into how to create enriching and supportive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of young children.
We begin with an introduction to the Bank Street approach, where you will learn about the foundational principles that guide this educational philosophy. This section will provide an overview of the historical development of the approach, tracing its roots to the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. You will explore the core values that underpin this method, such as the belief in the inherent potential of every child and the importance of nurturing their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Understanding child development is central to the Bank Street approach. You will delve into the developmental-interaction theory, which emphasises the interplay between a child’s development and their environment. This section will explore the stages of child development and highlight the importance of recognising individual differences and learning styles in the classroom.
The role of the educator in the Bank Street approach is multifaceted, with the educator serving as both a facilitator and a guide. You will learn how to build strong, trusting relationships with children and how to engage in reflective practice to continuously improve your teaching methods. This section will equip you with strategies to create a nurturing and responsive learning environment that supports each child’s unique growth journey.
Creating a progressive classroom environment is key to the Bank Street approach. This section will cover the design principles of a Bank Street classroom, focusing on the integration of natural and constructed materials to create a stimulating and child-centred space. You will learn how to foster a sense of community within the classroom, promoting collaboration and mutual respect among children.
Curriculum design in the Bank Street approach is thematic and integrated, allowing children to explore subjects in a holistic and meaningful way. You will explore child-centred and inquiry-based learning strategies that adapt to the needs and interests of the children. This section will guide you in creating a flexible and responsive curriculum that encourages curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking.
Play is considered a foundational element in the Bank Street approach to learning. This section will examine the different types of play and their role in supporting social, emotional, and cognitive development. You will learn how to incorporate play into the daily routine in ways that enhance learning outcomes and foster a love for learning.
Language and literacy development are crucial components of the early childhood curriculum in the Bank Street approach. You will explore strategies for creating language-rich environments and supporting emergent literacy practices. This section will also address how to support diverse learners in their language development, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop strong communication skills.
Mathematics and science are taught through inquiry-based instruction, encouraging children to explore and question the world around them. You will learn how to integrate these subjects into daily learning activities, fostering curiosity and a scientific mindset in young learners.
Social studies and cultural awareness are also integral to the Bank Street approach. This section will explore how to integrate social studies into the early childhood curriculum, promoting cultural sensitivity and awareness. You will learn strategies for helping children explore concepts of community and identity, fostering a sense of belonging and respect for diversity.
Art and creativity play a vital role in child development, and the Bank Street approach places a strong emphasis on encouraging creative expression. You will learn how to integrate art across the curriculum and how to use creative activities to support cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Physical development and movement are essential for the overall well-being of young children. This section will cover the importance of physical activity in early childhood, providing strategies for integrating movement into the daily routine. You will learn how to support the development of gross and fine motor skills in a way that is both engaging and developmentally appropriate.
Emotional and social development are central to the Bank Street approach, which recognises the importance of fostering emotional intelligence and positive social interactions. This section will provide strategies for promoting emotional well-being and addressing behavioural challenges with compassion and understanding.
Assessment and documentation in the Bank Street approach focus on observational techniques that allow educators to understand and support each child’s development. You will learn how to document learning and development in a way that informs your teaching practice and supports the individual needs of each child.
Parent and family engagement is a key component of the Bank Street approach, which values the role of families in the educational process. This section will provide strategies for building strong partnerships with families, effective communication, and involving parents in their child’s learning journey.
Finally, we will cover reflective practice and professional growth for educators. This section will emphasise the importance of reflective practice in improving teaching methods and strategies for ongoing professional development. You will learn how to collaborate with colleagues and the wider educational community to enhance your practice and stay current with the latest developments in early childhood education.
By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the Bank Street approach and the skills to implement it effectively in early childhood education settings. You will be equipped to create a nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment that supports the holistic development of every child.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to the Bank Street Approach
- Overview of Bank Street Philosophy
- Historical Development of the Approach
- Core Values and Principles
2. Understanding Child Development in the Bank Street Approach
- Developmental-Interaction Theory
- Stages of Child Development
- Individual Differences and Learning Styles
3. The Role of the Educator in Bank Street
- Educator as Facilitator and Guide
- Building Relationships with Children
- Reflective Practice in Teaching
4. Creating a Progressive Classroom Environment
- Design Principles of a Bank Street Classroom
- Integrating Natural and Constructed Materials
- Fostering a Sense of Community
5. Curriculum Design in the Bank Street Approach
- Thematic and Integrated Curriculum
- Child-Centred and Inquiry-Based Learning
- Adapting Curriculum to Children’s Needs and Interests
6. The Importance of Play in Learning
- Play as a Foundation for Learning
- Types of Play in the Bank Street Classroom
- Supporting Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Development through Play
7. Language and Literacy Development
- Language-Rich Environments
- Emergent Literacy Practices
- Supporting Diverse Learners in Language Development
8. Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood
- Inquiry-Based Mathematics Instruction
- Integrating Science into Daily Learning
- Encouraging Curiosity and Exploration
9. Social Studies and Cultural Awareness
- Integrating Social Studies into the Early Childhood Curriculum
- Promoting Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
- Exploring Community and Identity
10. Art and Creativity in the Bank Street Classroom
- The Role of Art in Child Development
- Encouraging Creative Expression
- Integrating Art across the Curriculum
11. Physical Development and Movement
- Importance of Physical Activity in Early Childhood
- Integrating Movement into the Daily Routine
- Supporting Gross and Fine Motor Skills Development
12. Emotional and Social Development
- Understanding Emotional Intelligence in Children
- Promoting Positive Social Interactions
- Addressing Behavioural Challenges with Compassion
13. Assessment and Documentation in the Bank Street Approach
- Observational Assessment Techniques
- Documenting Learning and Development
- Using Assessments to Inform Practice
14. Parent and Family Engagement
- Building Partnerships with Families
- Strategies for Effective Communication
- Involving Families in the Learning Process
15. Reflective Practice and Professional Growth
- Importance of Reflective Practice for Educators
- Strategies for Ongoing Professional Development
- Collaborating with Colleagues and the Wider Educational Community
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.