Focus on PLACES at the High School Level

I teach Early Childhood Education courses to high school students.  My students have opportunities for internships and work-based learning experiences at a child care center and elementary school. One of the major objectives I have to teach my student interns are the domains, or areas of growth and development of young children.  These domain areas are known as PLACES.

PLACES take in consideration children’s Physical, Language, Approaches to Learning, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social development.  

What I have observed over the years is that ALL teachers should be aware of these areas of development. Even at the high school level teachers should still recognize the PLACES domain areas. I personally implement teaching strategies that are focused on PLACES to meet the learning and developmental needs of my students.  I have noticed that student engagement and academic achievement has increased in my classroom. 

What I have learned is that PLACES is focused on during the early childhood years, but it should continue to be a focus throughout high school. 

Domains adapted from Foundations: Early Learning Standards for North Carolina Preschoolers and Strategies for Guiding Their Success, NC Department of Public Instruction, 2005.