The first concept from my concentration of child development is that providing an environment of learning, a place that they can play, interact, touch, smell, and more, will support the development of their motor skills. I have the opportunity to provide an environment in the FamilyZone at the Arizona Museum for Youth. We are looking at a park setting that will give the children a place away from the museum to rest, have snacks and drinks that are not allowed in the exhibition area, and at the same time still get the hands-on learning experience they do in the exhibition areas.
The second concept from child development is the importance of the a bond between parent and child. If there is a lack of bonding with a parent and child, this can severely alter their developmental pattern. In the FamilyZone I will be assisting in designing, we want to incorporate an area that the children can interact on their own, but also, what the museum fully supports, interact with their parent or guardian. We realize the importance of bonding time and want to add activities that the parent and child can do together and even create areas that the parent and child can quietly sit and read together and learn from each other, strenthening their bond or even creating a bond.
Along the same lines, the above concept can be applied to my design studies concentrations. From a design aspect, the concept would be considering a child development at any age, and then design areas that can support that development. In the FamilyZone, I will again be designing the area so that the child would get the same development support in all of the museum whether away from the exhibitions areas or apart of the exhibition areas.
Lastly, on the design studies area, one last concept would be whatever you are designing, make sure that the design will not detract from the purpose of the product or object. The project I am currently working on is the Educator's Manual. I am conbining all the aspects needed for a good, usable manual and design it so that it looks good, but still is readable and useful so that they can get the important information that will aid them in bettering their tour presentations and help introduce the children to the world of art and learning that go hand in hand.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
While your theories focus mostly on child development, I think that these can somewhat carry on to the high school level as well. I have noticed that while at the high school for my internship, many students have much better interaction and participation when they feel safe. It is this reason that all the guidance counselors provide a calm, relaxing room atmosphere in order to ease the students' minds as they discuss their issues. Further, when following the girls volleyball team, their personalities and performance change dramatically between playing at home or an away school. The unusual environment does not provide the safe, comforting feeling of being used to their home court. Its psychological effects may not be too drastic, and at somewhat different levels than those of child development, but still seem to share many of the same characteristics. Also, the development of the students, especially as volleyball players, is crucially dependent on the bond between coach and player. I notice that one of the most important aspects of my mentor's success is the way he treats his players, and develops not only good people, but positive, encouraging relationships. This benefits the athlete's tremendously, and I feel instills the right amount of confidence in each player to perform to their highest abilities.
Gini Mattingly
Hi Katy,
I am so happy to see someone use design and child development! My best friend is thinking of doing those concentrations and wasn't sure how to relate them for an applied study so I will excited to tell her how someone else did it. I also can't believe we didn't think about this earlier! Using what you know about design and what you know about development could help you create such and amazing environment for those children.
I also think you have a very cool applied study. It sounds like you really enjoy what you are doing and that it is quite fun. I am interested and may come check out the FamilyZone. It really is so important to have parents help their children learn, often times this gives parents a chance to learn as well! Creating a space where both of them could do things together and help each other would be wonderful. Good luck!
Hi Katy, my name is Nadia Matthews and I to am working in a child development location. I really enjoyed reading through the different concepts that you chose to compare to your site. I think that it is really cool how in a child care site you were able to associate your design concepts to what you were working with the children there. I would have to agree with you when you say that in child development you must create an appropriate learning environment. I believe that motor skills that young children develop help them tremendously with other areas of learning. The park idea of letting the children escape from the museum seems like a great place for the children to be able to work on their motor skills in nontraditional ways. The project that you are working on in creating the Educator’s manual also seems like a great project where you are able to directly combine your two concentrations. I hope that you continue to enjoy your site and wish you the best of luck with the rest of the semester.
Awesome job on your application of the theory and concepts learned in your concentration area courses!
--Dr. Hirshorn
Post a Comment