My Experience In My Life

Teachers in early childhood programs must integrate knowledge about the development of children, the importance of families, creating a healthy and stimulating environment, about child-centred curriculum planning, and about

I believe that as an early childhood educator my goal will be to promote the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child. I also believe that play should be the base of learning since children learn best by doing. I believe that a balance between teacher-directed and child-initiated activities is essential balance can be developed by using the developmentally appropriate practice approach, which means that activities should be “appropriate for each child and relevant to the child’s ability, needs and interests, also including the child’s family and being respectful to the child’s culture.

prepare, set out and support activities and experiences that encourages learning and development in each area of the relevant early years framework

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

A holistic approach to learning and development implies that one must look at the child as a whole, as well as the way in which they interact with their surroundings. It recognises that children develop in their own time and are creative, competent and independent thinkers. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Development Matters government document provides statutory requirements that early years practitioners must implement (Early Education, 2001, p.1). The document states that there are 4 themes of the EYFS which reinforce the guidance given. These include: the unique child, positive relationships and enabling environments. See Appendix 1. If each theme is successfully practiced, then there will be effective learning and

Educators hold the important role of supporting and facilitating each child’s development, one method of facilitating for the child is by recognizing and providing an optimal learning environment. An optimal learning environment is a safe environment specifically designed to facilitate a child’s learning and developmental needs. Educators need to provide time and opportunity for children to respond and experience the world creatively, it also needs to offer exposure to a variety of experience, to be secure and offer stimulating experiences so children can take risks and investigate the world around them safely. Olds (2001) suggests that children need to feel comfortable in their environment for them to explore. Educators need to be vigilant in making sure that each individuals needs are met so the child feels safe and comfortable in the learning environment. Creating an optimal learning environment means educators need to consider the aspects that create this environment. Harris Helm suggests that the overall effectiveness of an early childhood program is dependant on quality of staff, suitable environment, consistent schedules and parent involvement.

The 2010 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Initial and Advanced Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs provides standards that set guidelines for what and how early childhood professionals prepare themselves to be efficient educators and caregivers. Professional development tools and strategies are critical assets for providing high quality early childhood education and care that meets the needs and interest of all learners. Today’s early childhood settings are filled with a diverse group of learners. Efficient educators must use a broad range of approaches, tools, and resources to ensure success for all learners. The NAEYC Initial and Advanced Standards demonstrates particular strategies for early childhood educators to prepare themselves to be successful and effective teachers. For this brief composition I chose to highlight the initial standard #4: using developmentally effective approaches.

Providing children with an environment that nurtures their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development is the framework that will promote children’s optimal learning and development. Gaining knowledge about the child will help a teacher to develop and create programs that are suitable for the age and the stages of children’s development. Applying developmentally appropriate practices will support the excellence in early childhood education because it is based off of the knowledge of knowing each child as an individual and how they develop.

I have had previous educational programming experience for over ten years. Depending on the childcare service, the programs have varied which enabled them to service the children, families and communities. With the programs, I have concentrated on the documentation that supports the quality outcomes. I have utilised the principles and practices from frameworks such as the Early Years Learning Frameworks (EYLF), to implement and plan the program. When I undertake the programs, the key issues are capturing children’s voices and ideas in planning documentation and evaluation. Gathering and analysing information about children such as their knowledge, abilities and understanding is part of the ongoing cycle in planning documentation and evaluating

The present work analyses the findings of an interview to a practitioner, with the purpose to find out How do Early Childhood Practitioners use research techniques to develop their understanding of children’s needs and development.

In early childhood education, lessons should be prepared to meet children’s needs through the use exploratory play, guided discovery, problem solving, and critical thinking. I seek ways to differentiate instruction and provide different teaching styles to reach students of all abilities and intelligence. I believe that students in an early childhood setting should be exposed to social interaction, cooperative learning, hands-on experiences, and real-life applications. Early childhood classrooms should have plenty of books for children to get exposed to enriching texts and literacy at an early age. I believe that in early childhood settings, teachers need to teach about values learn honesty, kindness, cooperation, patience, and respect to be positive role models in society. I seek to develop close relationships with my students, and their families and provide an environment where they feel welcomed and

Most of open-ended materials are displayed at children’s eyes level, and they have freedom to choose which materials they would like to work on. As an early childhood educator, my role is to support, encourage, and promote their interest in learning through playing. I also supervise to make sure children are in safe while exploring with materials. Children in my classroom are the center of the classroom, and I will be flexibility to follow the children’s lead. Therefore, personally I notice emergent curriculum will help preschoolers to reach several stages in the Erik Ericson’s Psychosocial Development because it will help children to develop a sense of autonomy because they can independently choose which materials and activities that they want to work on. Curriculum are based on their interest, so they will actively participate that will help children to gain a sense of initiative and identity because they can express freely their curiosity, interest as well as creativity while trying out different activities. In addition, children also have opportunities for physical, intellectual, social and emotion accomplishment because they are the center in the classroom. Moreover, emergent curriculum also help children to learn through playing, and children are freely to explore different ways with hand-on materials that will promote a sense of industry. Based on my experience working in several play-based, I would like to refer emergent curriculum to academic programs because it fosters many aspects and domain in children’s development, especially social emotional development is one of the foundations for children’s later

“Because of the specific needs of infants and toddlers the term curriculum is during the early stages of development is complex. To summarize all of the ideas of curriculum, as defined by leaders in the field (Gonzalez-Mena, Eyer, Dodge, Greenman, Stonehouse, Schwikert, Swim, and Watson), you must think about curriculum as an organized framework. To make curriculum DAP for infant and toddlers, it must be based on sound and relevant knowledge such as infant/ toddler development and research; so that it guides early care professional practices in providing purposeful and responsive learning opportunities for each child through daily routines and experiences (Blackboard, 2013).”

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

Early childhood is a time full of curiosity, exploration, creativity, excitement, and rapid development. During these formative years, children develop attitudes about education that remain with them for the rest of their lives (Kostelnik, Soderman, & Whiren, 2011). High quality early childhood education programs and highly effective, passionate teachers or care providers will not only promote young children’s development and academic achievement but will also foster a lifelong passion for learning. ECE programs and educators utilize learning centers to contribute to young children’s acquisition of literacy, numeracy, creative thinking, problem solving, and motor skills as well as a number of other skills and knowledge (Jarrett, 2010).