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ECED-1053 - Artifacts:

1. Importance of Social and Emotional Learning - November 2024

ECED-1075 - Artifacts:

1. Secure Bonds - November 2024

ECED-3041 - Artifacts:

1. Reflection 1 - February 2025

2. Reflection 2 - March 2025

Courses:

ECED-1053 - Promoting Pro-Social Behaviour

ECED-1075 - Child Development: 0-3yrs

ECED-3041 - Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

Reflection: These artifacts have deepened my understanding of the importance of attachment and the factors that can affect it. Prior to these assignments, I had little knowledge of attachment styles, but after engaging with the material, I was able to reflect on both past and present students I work with and observe how their attachment styles present. This deeper understanding will help me create safe, secure, and positive environments for my students, while fostering strong, supportive relationships with each one. Ultimately, this knowledge will make me a stronger educator. Both reflection assignments allowed me to consider the responsibilities I hold in reporting child abuse. The opportunity to engage in a scenario-based Activity with a partner, where we had to determine whether to report to CAS, was particularly valuable. This hands-on experience gave me the greater confidence in navigating these difficult situations and reinforced the importance of taking appropriate action when a child's safety is at risk.

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ECED-1075 - Artifacts:

1. Secure Attachment - November 2024

ECED-1084 - Artifacts:

1. Literacy Rich Environment - October 2024

ECED-3040 - Artifacts:

1. Photovoice #1 - May 2025

Courses:

ECED-1084 - Foundations of ECE

ECED-1075 - Child Development: 0-3yrs

ECED-3040 - Professionalism, Ethics & Advocacy

Reflection: These artifacts gave me the opportunity to understand two different factors that affect a child's development. In the Secure Attachment assignment, I was able to reflect on a case study and determine the child's attachment style. This helped me understand how important a child's environment is to their development, which is a crucial point in the case study as the child's environment has significantly impacted his growth. In addition, educators play a key role in providing loose materials for children to use in their learning. This is something I explored in the Literacy Rich Environment artifact, which gave me insight into what educators can add to the environment to enhance a child's learning experience. In the Photovoice #1, I learned the importance of relationship-building in the field of early childhood education. It showed me the importance of the environment in relation to a child's development.

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This portfolio is representative of the experiences and learning skills I have developed during my time as an Early Childhood Education student at Fanshawe College.

I have spent the past six years in the education system, working at a specialized school for students with developmental disabilities in Ottawa. Through my work at this school, I discovered my passion for education and had the privilege of collaborating with a wide range of professionals, which ultimately led me to pursue Early Childhood Education.

I have gained a deep understanding of the field of developmental services. Thanks to this program, I have had the privilege of doing my placement in a 4/5 split class at North Gower Public School. So far, I have been exposed to different learning opportunities that are presented in mainstream education. This has given me the opportunity to see how things are demonstrated in other schools and programs, ultimately allowing me to explore more options for my future as an educator.

I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education program at the University of New Brunswick, with the end goal of becoming a teacher. I look forward to further developing my learning and being exposed to other classes within the OCDSB. My future is bright, and I will be able to find the right program for me as a teacher.

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ECED-3044 - Artifacts:

1. Envisioning Quality in Learning & Care - February 2025

2. Reflecting on the Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care - March 2025

ECED-3040 - Artifacts:

1. Elected Official Letter - June 2025

2. Op-Ed Paper - May 2025

Courses:

ECED-3044 - The Reflective Practitioner

ECED-3040 - Professionalism, Ethics, and Advocacy

Reflection: The artifact, Reflecting on the Universal Beliefs about Early Childhood Education and Care, provided me with the opportunity to gain further insight into the documents How Does Learning Happen?, Listening to Land as Teacher, and the 10 Universal Beliefs. I began by grasping and understanding the 10 Universal Beliefs and their importances to the field of Early Childhood Education and Care. Comparing HDLH? and seasonal pedagogy allowed me to identify the similarities and differences between the two. All of these documents will help me further develop my educational philosophy and incorporate it into my practice.

The artifact, Envisioning Quality in Learning & Care, emphasizes how proper education standards can foster a child's overall development. These standards ensure that all educators follow a consistent approach while also tailoring their curriculum to meet the diverse needs of their students. Since children come from various walks of life, each should be treated as a unique individual. This approach aligns closely with my personal philosophy of education. It also connects directly to my Op-Ed Paper, in which I discussed how children with special needs are often not given the same opportunities as their neurotypical peers - if at all. I emphasized the urgent need for change within the education system while also considering the broader challenges we face in today's society.

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ECED-3003 - Artifacts:

1. Theorist Comparison - February 2025

2. Theorist Presentation - March 2025

ECED-3038 - Artifacts:

1. Case Study - February 2025

ECED-1038 - Artifacts:

1. Self-Assessment - May 2025

Courses:

ECED-3038 - Child Development: 3-6yrs

ECED-3003 - Educational Perspectives

ECED-1038 - Field Seminar

Reflection: These artifacts provided me with the opportunity to dive deeper into the field of early childhood education and explore evolution over the years. Understanding the foundational theories and practices is essential to grasping how the field has developed and how it still continues to develop today. The theorists discussed in these artifacts are fundamental to the development of early childhood education, as their work has laid the foundation to the programs and practices we use in education today. By gaining a broader understanding of the influence these theorists made, I am better equipped to appreciate what guides educational approaches and apply them to my teaching practices. The Self-Assessment Assignment offered valuable insight into my reflective strategies and helped clarify my understanding of effective reflection. It also highlighted the steps I need to take to foster positive change in my teaching.

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Artifacts:

1. Resume - Alyssa Sands - June 2025

2. CCEYA - March 2025

3. The Brighter Horizons Program - Website

4. BHP - Summer Camp Schedule - 2024

5. BHP - Summer Camp Flyer 2025

6. ELECT

7. The Kindergarten Program

8. How Does Learning Happen?

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Zones of Regulation - Daily Check-In

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Summer Camp 2024

The Brighter Horizons Program

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Summer Camp 2024

The Brighter Horizons Program

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Camping Trip 2023

The Brighter Horizons Program

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Professional Artifacts:

1. Behaviour Management Systems Training (BMS) - June 2024

2. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) - June 2024

3. Workplace Violence and Harassment Training and Resources - 2025

4. First Aid & CPR - January 2025

ECED-1005 - Artifacts:

1. Handwashing Song - September 2024

2. Menu Planning Assignment - November 2024

Reflection: The four certificates I listed above have prepared me with the necessary skills to succeed in the field of special education. Both Behaviour Management Systems Training (BMS) and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) equip me with safe practices to manage behaviours. These training programs provide knowledge to all educators, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. This helps educators support students with equality while adapting programming to meet students' needs. Workplace Violence and Harassment Training provides me with the knowledge to identify workplace violence and harassment. This enables me to manage the everyday workplace with the confidence that I can identify any situations that may arise unexpectedly. First Aid & CPR training equips me with the skills to handle any emergency situations I may face.

The artifact, the Handwashing Song, allowed me to reflect on proper handwashing techniques. I was able to use the 7 steps to proper hand hygiene and create a song that I can keep in my resource portfolio. In primary education, this is something that can be used to teach the handwashing technique to students in a fun and engaging way. And finally, the Menu Planning Assignment gave me the skills needed to create a menu for an early learning program. Having this knowledge will ensure my understanding of the requirements for children when it comes to their nutrition.

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ECED-3042 - Artifacts:

1. Play-Based Experience - January 2024

ECED-1084 - Artifacts:

1. Observation, Documentation, Invitation and Provocation - October 2024

2. Learning Environment & Beliefs About Children - November 2024

ECED-1076 - Artifacts:

1. Outdoor Play Newsletter - October 2024

Courses:

ECED-1076 - Curriculum & Pedagogy: 0-3yrs

ECED-3042 - Curriculum & Pedagogy: 3-6yrs

ECED-1084 - Foundations of ECE

Reflection: The artifacts I've listed above have provided me valuable experience in observing and implementing activities that benefit children's development. The Play-Based Experience I created gave me hands-on experience in designing an activity for students. This assignment helped me understand all aspects involved in developing a learning activity, deepening my understanding of what educators should look for in children's learning. With this broader understanding, I can better support children and encourage them to further their learning. Additionally, the Observation, Documentation, Invitation, and Provocation artifact helped me grasp the various factors that need to be considered when creating an activity.

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Facial Expression Activity

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Three Little Pigs Activity

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Life Skill - Handwashing Video made during Covid-19 online learning.