Early Childhood Education Expands Beyond The Classroom As Children’s Needs Evolve | KiddyNews

The role of early childhood educators is expanding beyond traditional classroom teaching as digital tools, artificial intelligence and changing approaches to child development place greater emphasis on relationships, inclusion and children’s overall experiences.

Prof Malissa Maria Mahmud, dean of Sunway University’s School of Education, said educators increasingly need to understand not only how children learn, but also how environments, technology and services shape their development and wellbeing.

She said the shift is reflected in the concept of the Children Experience Economy (CEE), a framework developed by the university to examine how children’s experiences influence learning, development and wellbeing.

Looking Beyond The Classroom

The CEE framework draws on the broader experience economy concept, but applies it to children’s development across areas such as education, play, recreation, child-friendly spaces, media and child-focused products and services.

For children, these experiences can influence their relationships, capabilities, identity and sense of belonging.

This means early childhood education professionals may increasingly work across settings beyond preschools, including child development services, educational content, learning experience design and other child-focused organisations.

Prof Malissa said educators therefore need knowledge of child development, family dynamics, environmental design, technology and inclusion as interconnected aspects of children’s lives.

Inclusion at the Centre

Inclusion is a key part of this changing landscape, as children develop at different rates and may have different developmental and learning needs.

Early childhood professionals need to be able to recognise these differences, adapt learning approaches and create environments where children can participate meaningfully.

“Before asking whether children will enjoy an experience, we should ask what it shapes, whose agency it enables, who might be excluded and whether children themselves have had voice in its design,” Prof Malissa said.

She said this distinction was important in ensuring experiences are designed responsibly with children’s needs and rights in mind.

Preparing the Next Generation

Sunway University has introduced two programmes in response to these evolving needs: the Diploma in Early Childhood Education and the Bachelor in Early Childhood Education with Special Needs (Honours).

The two-year diploma covers child development, play-based pedagogy, curriculum design and inclusive practices for children with special needs. It also introduces students to edupreneurship and learning design for diverse cultural contexts.

The bachelor’s programme combines early childhood pedagogy with inclusive and special-needs education, including Universal Design for Learning, assistive technology and neurodiversity.

The university also highlighted its community outreach work, including a programme with BookXcess that donated 120 sensory-friendly books to children at Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah.

From Teaching to Shaping Experiences

As children increasingly learn and interact across classrooms, digital platforms, community spaces and other environments, the role of early childhood professionals is also evolving.

The focus is no longer limited to delivering lessons, but includes creating environments where children can develop, participate and feel a sense of belonging.

“The question for universities is no longer simply how we prepare teachers for the classroom. It is how we prepare professionals to shape the wider environments, technologies, services and experiences through which children learn and develop,” Prof Malissa said.

Source:

The Star – “Taking early childhood education beyond the classroom”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond.