ECED 3003 - Educational Philosophy Assignment by Thilishi Devindi

Introduction

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 14:58:31 UTC

As a current Early Childhood Education Student and a Supply Early Childhood Educator, I believe that young children are very unique and curious explorers with their own interests and potential. I also see children as active participants in their own learning journey and they are trying to build an understanding of the world around them. On the other hand, I view families as partners in the learning journey of young children, and they also have a lot of potential and power to influence young children's understanding of the world around them. I also strongly believe that strong connections should be built together with children's families in order to support their development. My role as an early childhood educator is to facilitate a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where children will be able to freely explore and learn whilst also focusing on supporting for children's holistic development and facilitating them with a solid foundation for their future learning endeavours.

My role in supporting child development...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:04:19 UTC

With regards to supporting children's developmental aspects, I believe that my role as an early childhood educator is to focus on observing, documenting, and analyzing children's peer interactions, behavioral patterns, and learning interests. By doing so, I believe that I can identify the needed areas of support and guidance in order to facilitate children's varying developmental domains, specifically including cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and linguistic domains. In addition, the famous theorist known as Howard Garner, emphasized the importance of inclusive education, as he mentioned that educators should acknowledge children's unique intelligence levels and support accordingly to provide a positive environment for all children. (Group 3, Slide 18, 2024). I believe that this theorist's view also aligns with my perspectives in supporting children's varying developmental domains and using different techniques to identify them. I also believe that my role as an educator is to facilitate, guide, and also be a play-partner at times by working alongside children to help their individual needs and interests.

My perspective on what curriculum is...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:06:13 UTC

According to my views, I belive that it should be child-centered. I believe that we should not implement a fixed set of lessons or activities, but rather a flexible framework that responds to children's interests, needs, and experiences. I also believe that the curriculum should be reflective to children's strengths, challenges, and emerging abilities. From the experience that I have gained so far in the field of early childhood education, I believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in their own learning, and that we should and facilitate them with ample learning opportunities and materials for children to explore, experiment, and make meaning of their world. It is also important to know that the curriculum is a collaborative process which involves children, families, and educators together. Moreover, according to the How Does Learning Happen Document, the early years learning curriculum is identified as a continuous process that is shaped by views about the children, the role of educators and families, and relationships among them whilst emphasizing the importance of a child-centered approach that is responsive to children's interests, needs, and experiences. (Ministry of Education, 2014).

My role in connecting with families, & promoting an inclusive playroom...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:12:47 UTC

I believe that building strong, collaborative relationships with families is an essential factor for children's development and learning as well. I also recognize the vital role that families play in children's lives, and I also value and respect the diversity of cultures, languages, and experiences that children bring to the learning environment from their unique backgrounds. Further, it is highly important to focus on the unique backgrounds of the children as it has direct influence to children's overall development. This fact was also highlighted by a famous professor of anthropology and psychiatry, where he mentions that, the most important thing to consider in child development is the context in which the child is living, including their family, community, and culture. (Tedx Talks, 2016) And when we support the children with reflection to their backgrounds and family beliefs, this will help to ensure that the children are able to grow and develop in a way that is appropriate and beneficial for their specific situation. I also believe that it is important to create inclusive spaces where all children and families feel valued and respected, whilst also building relationships with families that are based on mutual trust, respect, and communication.

My interactions in a playroom...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:13:52 UTC

With regards to my interactions in a playroom, I believe that focusing to build positive connections with young children is the gateway for early childhood education. Building postive interactions with children also mean creating warm, positive, and responsive relationships with children, and using these moments as opportunities to model appropriate social and emotional behaviors,to promote language development, and foster a sense of belonging and well-being. My beliefs and perspectives also resonates strongly with the theorist known as Susan Issaacs, who emphasized the pivotal role of both the practitioner and the environment in a child's development. (Group 2, Slide 9, 2024).This theorist also highlighted that it is an important part of the role of the educator in making the environment comfortable for the children and helping them to feel secure while ensuring to provide them with the optimal conditions for their learning and stimulation.

My perspective on the learning environment...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:14:10 UTC

I believe that the learning environment plays a very important role in children's development, specially when they are exposed to an indoor learning environment. I believe, that indoor learning environments should be thoughtfully designed to engage all children and help them feel comfortable to explore around, it should also be an environment that children's creativity, imagination and independence is considered. Just as the Reggio Emilia's approach also emphasizes, the environment should also be regarded as the 'third teacher,' influencing children's growth and learning profoundly. (PBS Michiana, 2018) Thereby, the learning environments should be crafted to captivate and engage every child while fostering their sense of comfort and curiosity. Moreover, I also believe that outdoor learning spaces also have a great impact on children's development, where we should frequently allow them to engage and explore the natural world around them.

My roles & responsibilities in a classroom...

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:14:35 UTC

As an early childhood educator, I believe that I have multiple roles and responsibilities in the classroom. I also believe that I shouldn't be always guiding children and make them understand what to do in activities, but to be a good role model, a good facilitator, being a guide, a co-learner, and also being a nurturer at the sametime. Moreover, I also believe that as Loris Malaguzzi, the famous educational theorist highlighted, that the teacher should be engaging in a "Ping-Pong match" of collaboration with the children.(Group 4, Slide 11, 2024). Following this approach not only allows the children to perceive what the adult already sees,but would also help to foster a deeper understanding. Further, I also belive that it is my primary responsibility to ensure the safety and health of all children in my classroom and letting them know that they feel safe and comfortable to express their selves to me. However, sometimes it can be challenging to ensure all these roles as an educator, but i think its all about striving to find a balance in these roles in a way that supports children's holistic development and fosters their love for learning.

Conclusion

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:14:46 UTC

In conclusion, my personal philosophy of early childhood education is centered on my beliefs regarding children and viewing them as unique individuals with their potential levels. I also view my role as an educator should be a collaborative role, as someone who's working in partnership with families and communities in order to create inclusive, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for all children. I also view that my practice as an early childhood educator is a more constructivist approach, emphasizing the importance of children's active participation in their own learning. I believe that this philosophy will guide my practice as an Early Childhood Educator, helping me to create a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive learning environments that will support children's holistic development and foster their love for learning.

References

thilishidevindi — 2024-03-30 15:14:51 UTC

Group 3. (2024). Howard Gardner. [PowerPoint Slides]. Fanshawe Online. https://www.fanshaweonline.ca/content/23F/1524582-ECED-3003-(01)-24W/HOWARD%20GARDNER%20-%20GROUP%203%20-%20ECED%203003.pdf?ou=1524582

Group 4. (2024). Loris Malaguzzi. [PowerPoint Slides]. Fanshawe Online. https://www.fanshaweonline.ca/content/23F/1524582-ECED-3003-(01)-24W/Theorist%20Presentation%20-%20Group%204%20-%20Loris%20Malaguzzi.pdf?ou=1524582

Group 2. (2024). Susan Issacs. [PowerPoint Slides]. Fanshawe Online. https://www.fanshaweonline.ca/content/23F/1524582-ECED-3003-(01)-24W/Theorist%20Presentation%20%239%20(Susan%20Issacs)%20(Group%20Presentation).pptx?ou=1524582

Ministry of Education. (2014). How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years. https://www.ontario.ca/document/how-does-learning-happen-ontarios-pedagogy-early-years

PBS Michiana. (2018, March 05). Education Counts Michiana - The Reggio Emilia Approach [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYx_aGs-DjU

Tedx Talks. (2016, August 15). Tom Weisner: What is the most important influence on child development? [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIZ8PkLMMUo&t=326s