Secondary Family and Consumer Sciences Students Teaching Young Children: Importance of Using Developmentally Appropriate Lessons

Abstract

The purpose of this action research study was to help family and consumer sciences (FCS) high school students in Early Childhood Education create more developmentally appropriate lesson plans as well as to become more reflective in practice using experiential learning, modeling, and reflection. Data were collected both prior to and during their field experiences in which they taught lessons to young children. Results indicate that a progression of modeling, videotaped classroom practice, and real world practice along with ongoing reflection may be an effective method of teaching within early childhood education programs in FCS Recommendations for FCS teachers with early childhood education programs are shared.