How Becoming An Early Childhood Educator Can Reconstruct The Life Of A Child Essay

My preparation for becoming a teacher began in grade 12. During this year I coached the varsity field hockey team at my high school and I became a camp counsellor. Both roles were very different, but taught me about the importance of leading by example and giving positive feedback to athletes and campers. During this time I also began my work as a part time caregiver for a foster family. Being a caregiver to five less fortunate children taught me about the importance of a caring adult in a child's life. I learned about how much showing support can help children develop to reach their full potential.

Chapter two discusses various theorists that helped to mold and shape early childhood education to where it is today. There are several different theorists that contributed to the development of early childhood education. Some of these theorists include Alfred Adler, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and John Dewey. Each theorist developed a unique theory that has caused early childhood guidance and education to flourish like it has today. Without learning and building on these theories, early childhood guidance and education would never develop or change. The chapter explains how some theories may seem strange to the contemporary families, but these theories are the foundation of how early childhood education got to where it is today. The book goes

Early childhood is a time of curiosity, a time for play, and a time of rapid development. Every child is unique and deserving of an early childhood education that facilitates academic, social, and developmental growth through a variety of enjoyable experiences. Differentiated instruction adapts content, products and processes to meet the diverse learning needs and preferences of students (Thousand, Villa, & Nevin, 2007). Friedrich Froebel, the creator of Kindergarten, believed that children grow and learn as they play (Bruno, 2009). Play-based instruction not only enables young learners to have fun, but it also encourages interactive and cooperative learning, passion for discovery, and a foundation for later learning experiences

Being an early childhood educator provides me with the opportunity to share my love of learning while guiding my students to also become a lifelong autonomous learner. Being part of a great education system allows me to provide my students with what is needed most, a secure strong individual who cares not only for the academic success of my students but for the heart of my students as

It is important to provide young children with an infant and toddler curriculum that stimulates babies’ brains since the first three years of life form the basis for later growth and development (Albrecht & Miller, 2008). Curriculum for this age should be activity-based. There are many different components that make up a quality curriculum. And, each one of these should address a child’s ever-increasing skills and abilities. It is important that teachers address a child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language areas of development in everyday caregiving routines (Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2015). Most importantly infants and toddlers need opportunities throughout their day that allow them to develop their problem solving skills (Gonzalez-Mena & Eyer, 2015). The support and interactions of adult caregivers are critical to the growth and learning of young children (“Infant/Toddler Curriculum and Individualization,” 2010). Teachers and caregivers can support learning through quality interactions. This helps them get to know their students and allows them to develop a close relationship with each one. As all children learn differently and at their own pace, early child hood educators need to carefully and regularly observe and document what each child is experiencing and how they learn since assessment is a critical part of a high-quality, early childhood program (“Early Childhood Assessment,” 2014).

Early Childhood Education illustrates the teaching and care of children in other environments outside of the home. Early childhood centers on the development of all children no matter their gender, race, abilities, or ethnic orientation and gives knowledge of early childhood learning process, which entails values, culture, desires of parents for their children, and especially a child’s need for knowledgeable functionality in society.

My philosophy of Early childhood education is based on research that indicates that a child’s growth is developmental. Every child is unique in terms of life experiences, developmental readiness, and cultural heritage. A high quality early childhood program that provides a safe and nurturing environment, which promotes physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development will ensure a positive continuation of the child’s education process

“Early roots of play as a best practice for early learning was documented by Plato, a Greek philosopher, who insisted that play is considered a natural activity of childhood.”(Ingrid Crowther, 2011, Pg. 2) Early Childhood Education is a term that refers to educational programs that are devoted to children from birth to the age of eight. “Children of this age learn by exploring and investigating; therefore, their environment should support and encourage this process.”(Rebecca Isbell and Betty Exelby, 2001, Pg. 11) Early childhood environments should be attractive and exciting. These environments should allow children to work and play using proper resources, materials, and tools.

Educators can facilitate the children with different materials and environments in the classrooms that are in the early learning centres. The children need to develop their minds cognitively. “Children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore their world” (Berk 2007). Children are needing to develop their abilities through their play experiences, and also through their play experiences, they can develop appropriately. Early childhood education plays a large part in a child's early development.

Teaching early childhood children is not a job that should be taken lightly. At this age, you are building the foundation of learning and setting the precedence of what they see school as. It is my role as an educator to take responsibility for every child’s educational development. Each day in an early childhood classroom is full of challenges, but it is also full of laughs, smiles, and enthusiasm to learn. I firmly believe that every child is capable of learning, however, every child learns in their own pace and in their own way. Children need to feel that their teacher cares for them and is enthusiastic about their learning. This will help motivate them and maximize their learning. From there, the sky is the limit in the classroom! As an educator, I need to be conscious of learning and social development in order to reach every child and make sure they succeed. It is my job to see that every student is growing both academically and socially.

Estes, LA., Krogh, S. (2012) Pathways to Teaching Young Children: An Introduction to Early Childhood Education. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Educati

The education of the young mind is an important step in preparing the child for future learning experiences. The evolution of early childhood education has changed how adults and parents view the importance of offering stimulating and exciting opportunities to the very young. Early childhood Education offers the young child learning experiences that benefit them throughout their educational career. They soon embark on a whole new world of learning. These children are not only experiencing standard brain growth, but verbal and physical skills as well. Early childhood education teachers use a variation of techniques for instructing. They use lesson plans, worksheets, and even teacher resources for these young minds.

Due to the lack of gaining practical knowledge through a regular university education, there was a significant gap among preschool educators of their professional competences in the fields of children’s early learning and development, strengthening partnership with parents and developing positive parental skills and work with children with special needs

The Early Childhood Education program at Carlow University focuses on educating children from birth to grade four in any context—school, family, or community. As a signature mark of the program, students learn how to honor diversity and form strong inclusive relationships between child and caregiver/teacher. They learn that a child’s environment needs to be rooted in trust; physically and psychologically safe. They learn that the caregiver/teacher relationship needs

My first class set the stage and my expectation for this program. After taking Public Policy and Advocacy (509), I knew I wanted to be a servant leader. I engrossed myself in all types of literature referencing servant leaders. I listen to lectures from Sue Russell Executive Director of TEACH Early Childhood National Center. I started reading books by Robert Greenleaf “ The Servant Leader”. I listened to a countless amount of TEDx Talks of different types of servant leaders. My excitement quickly dwindled after taking Advanced Diverse Learners (508) and Leadership Theory and Behavior (554) which I loved both classes. These two classes were such an eye opener. I discovered that my passion, my career as an Early Childcare Educator was not