Mosaic Approach (Essay Sample)

Mosaic Approach
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Date of Submission
Mosaic Approach
What is Mosaic Approach
According to Kingdon 2019 Mosaic approach is a multi-method approach in which children's photographs, maps, and tours can be linked to joined to observing and talking to obtain a deeper understanding of children's perspective on their early childhood settings. The idea behind the Mosaic approach is that researchers collect data through a wide range of means. Raymond et al., 2021 indicate that the researcher's job is to put multiple individual pieces together to form one big part, just like how little tiles are formed into one big mosaic. The approach can be used as a tool to be used with older children, especially those with communication difficulties or those whose English is their second language. Thus, the mosaic is an approach that allows children of all ages to develop different aspects and skills of their personality through their experiences.
How et al., 2021 observe that the Mosaic approach involves multiple methods to listen to the children's voice. From a theoretical perspective, the approach wants to see children as competent and not passive objects. Children are made visible in this approach and given a voice in the adult community. It encourages children to use multi-methods, including maps and pictures. As such, teachers can have better children's perspectives and thoughts in the learning process. Al-Qinneh et al., 2022 find that in the Mosaic approach, children are at the center of the learning process, giving teachers the freedom to choose the appropriate ways to communicate with the children. Besides, children are seen as young explorers and competent, allowing them to use different methods to make their voices heard. The approach will enable children to choose the modes of communication that suit them. Therefore, by allowing children to play and be in a physical environment, the approach supports the children learning by using diverse modes like videos and pictures.
Where it Originated
The mosaic approach origin was a part of project researchers at the Thomas Coram Research Unit in London, and it involved three- and four years olds at Coram Community Campus. In the 1980s, the institution started to embrace different methodologies in a study, such as qualitative methods, mixed- and multi-methods, secondary analysis, and ethnography that includes large sets of data. They also adopted the Mosaic approach for listening to young children and the narrative methods for analyzing everyday practices. The use of mosaic was developed in the institution to address the issues of social justice and inequalities among children. Lipkin et al., 2022 find that the institution's interest in children was motivated by the belief that families and young children are entitled to free and universal childhood services. Besides, the commitment to gender equality also inspired the Mosaic approach in children's projects, the willingness to address racism affecting children.
Brandao and Theodorou 2020 assert that the Mosaic approach originated from Reggio Emilia approach, which allows children to select how they want to explore the world and communicate using different modes. The Reggio Emilia method, developed after the WW11, focused on supporting children below six years old. It was focused on protecting the children's rights to ensure they were recognized as the constructor of their own experiences. Like the Mosaic approach, the Reggio Emilia method focuses on supporting children to use their communication abilities, such as gestural and cognitive, in an environment that enables them to express their ideas. Moreover, when Alison Clark and Peter Moss faced the challenge of collecting data among children using traditional methods, they realized the approaches were ineffective (Clark, 2022). They also developed the Mosaic approach as using methods of data collection like interviews were unsuitable children would find it hard to be expressive.
Examples of the Mosaic Approach in Practice
One of the key examples of the Mosaic approach is mapping. This helps to offer an opportunity of recording data offered by young children. Children can be made to discuss drawings and photographs, and the teacher uses this as the basis for creating maps for places and people. As such, the teacher is able to show a close link between the data collected and what is revealed in the maps. Thus, the children not involved in the activity will develop an interest in map making, creating an opportunity to listen to many children's views and experiences. Another example of is Mosaic approach is role play. The teacher allows the children to engage in imaginative games, which helps to give clues to their feelings about their childcare. The activity can include the interests of individual children. For example, a shy child who likes playing outside the classroom is likely to be vocal when a figure is placed outside. Besides, the use of photography can help in providing children an avenue to communicate. A teacher can teach the children how to take photos and then make them practice taking photos in pairs. This allows the teacher to listen to the children as they take the photos and what they say about their friends' photos.
Ideas of how Listening to children can be embedded into practice.
One idea of embedding listening to children into practice is to ensure every conversation is turned into the practice of active listening. For instance, asking the child