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To examine the practicality of the professional competencies chosen by the college and the broader links to theory.

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I will investigate if children are happy in the environment, as Maria Montessori stated the judgement on whether education is deemed successful is based on the happiness of the children (Montessori, 2013).

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To grasp an understanding of the relationships between community, education and wellness.

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To see how effective the wellness models and self-care practises I chose are.

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To see how I can adapt what I already know from previous years to suit a number of different work placements.

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To engage in the Montessori education environment, applying the Montessori principles,  and observing and applying a number of different theories studied in college, and their impact on childhood development and learning.

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I also aim to grasp meaningful understanding about the importance of parent involvement at childhood stage and the role of the community surrounding the child in supporting the Montessori (“It takes a village to raise a child” Clinton, 1996).

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I also aim to develop a number of professional skills specific to placement in a childhood setting, in my case a Montessori setting, these may be focusing on individualised instruction, child centred learning, observations and allowing children to be active and autonomous in the learning process.

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I also aim to keep a journal reflecting on each day of placement with key take aways in terms of assisting with my understanding of different teaching practises, for examples classroom management techniques, children dynamics like interactions between children and emotional regulation.

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I will apply the theories studied in Marino so that I can better improve my understanding of childhood development.

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I will closely observe the approaches educators are taking in implementing the principles of both Siolta and Aistear, while grasping a better understanding of the curriculum and frameworks.

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I will assist in helping students without given direct instruction by asking open ended questions with a focus on improving problem solving and inquiry.

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Help in preparing materials and seeing how children learn and engage with those.

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I  also want to examine the effectiveness ad importance of environment in assisting effective education practises to children for example,  large open spaces, accessible activities and sinks and more.

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I also aim to grasp and conduct a number of different activities that develop students fine and gross motor skills, for example building blocks or cups with sand.

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I also hope to get a better understanding about hands on and self-directed learning. Focusing on educators as facilitators of learning not children as passive receivers of knowledge.

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I aim to investigate how I can apply my theories studied in Marino by investigating the Montessori approach, and seeing how it can assist in improving my understanding of childhood development.

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I aim to observe and assist in helping children aged 3-6 years immerse themselves into different activities, with particular interest in problem solving, creativity and inquiry.

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I hope to observe if  materials are strategically used and placed in this setting, and what the purpose is of the different materials and activities. For example, building blocks will develop children’s fine and gross motor skills, while pretend play will help develop children’s critical thinking and cognitive abilities. And seeing how I can reuse activities in the future and in some cases adapt them better to make them accessible for everyone as my general intrest is in SEN.

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I will get to see how children work in terms of building relationships, working together, trusting each other, and solving conflicts independently with little guidance or interaction from educators, and also seeing children’s emotional regulation abilities.

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I will get to observe and participate in having a teacher- student relationship in an ECE (early childhood education) setting, including how often and why they may increase their involvement with students, and what they see necessary in terms of giving further support, as in a Montessori setting from what I already know, educators try not give direct instruction, but provide the child with all the materials necessary to discover.

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I aim to assist and participate by working with other educators to create and implement different activities and lessons.

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I will make ask questions and take initiative to help educators get organised and tidy up, be it when they are outside or inside playing. I will also actively listen and use open ended questions to ensure children feel confident during conversations.

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I will work together with educators to prepare the learning environment each day.

I will help educators in ensuring an organised and calm environment, allowing the children to work away in a structured setting.

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I aim to help in facilitating group activities where children work together when they are learning to share ideas, equipment and responsibilities or jobs.

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As in a Montessori setting, children will face problems that may require them to think outside the box, I will help guide them while making sure the activities remain learner centred, allowing for exploration in line with theories such as Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, viewing the child as the “little scientist” emphasizing learning through action. While also following the Montessori education approach.

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I aim to assist in ensuring children know how to negotiate with one another, share and have respect, allowing them to work on problem solving, and assisting in investigating my abilities in conflict resolution in early years.

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I will take the initiative to have meaningful conversations with both children and staff, working on my effective communication skills, ensuring I am engaging with the environment and material at hand, gaining insights into yearly day to day running’s and any challenges they have faced in the past or currently.

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I aim to support the children as best as possible with self-directed learning, making links to the real world, and allowing them to learn in their own time.

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Prior to participating and assisting, I will request feedback to ensure CPD (continuous professional development) and to identify possible strengths and weaknesses of my time in Headfort Montessori.