1b: Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on early development and learning.

1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children. 

Standard 1 of the NAEYC Standards for early childhood educators states that candidates should have a deep background knowledge about the basis of child development and how children learn. This includes being able to recognize the characteristics and needs of children and knowing where they are in their development in order to promote effective learning. Teachers should be able to create a classroom community that is healthy, teaches respect, and provides a supportive and challenging environment.

  A child’s home life, including the language spoken, has a tremendous impact on development and learning, and as a teacher, I have to be willing and comfortable to work with these influences and differences. Promoting child development and learning to me means being able to provide the best possible learning environments, experiences, and extend a child's knowledge base while considering all aspects of child development. I am very passionate about supporting each child's success because I believe every child can learn, despite any and all challenges he or she may face. It is so important to understand each child's individual characteristics and needs because not all children learn the same way or find joy in the same things. As a teacher, I plan to incorporate my students ideas and what they wish to learn than plan lessons around their interests. 

3b. Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment, and data collection, including the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities. 

3c. Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child.

3d. Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and with professional colleges to build effective learning environments. 

It is important for teachers to observe young children so they can discover their interests and personalities.  When we understand and or know what our students are interested in we can begin to  understand how those students learn. I take extensive notes, photos, and gather anecdotal evidence on each and every student. I use this information to gauge students progress. I then use this information to determine students’ areas of strengths and areas for growth. I also believe it is important to involve families by showing them the developmental expectations for their child, discussing with them where their child is, how we support their child in school, and what they can do at home to help. I do this with families informally on a daily basis when we talk about how their child’s day was.

6b. Knowing about upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines.

6c. Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource.

6d. Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.

6e. Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the early childhood profession.

I am currently enrolled in early education classes. I have receive my basic TCC and am working toward my associates degree. I work at the Sunshine House practicing my skills that I learned from my ECCE classes, on a daily basis. I work with a group of children aged 3-4, using the creative curriculum. As an early childhood professional, it is important to incorporate what I already have learned as well as what I will continue to learn. By continuing to reflect on my teaching methods, and collaborating with my co-workers, other professionals in the field, as well as with the families of the children in my classroom, I can adjust according to fulfill the needs of the children. Whenever I am in the classroom, I make sure to conduct myself in a professional positive manner. It is important for me to always set myself at a high standard. I have read and understood the details of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. I know the ethical standards that I must uphold. I will always keep the best interests of my students in mind. It is my duty to live by these standards. As NAEYC states under principles, P-1.1 - Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children. I will take that a step further, and I will be there to advocate for, and protect the children from any type of harm. 

4a. Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with children.

4b. Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education including appropriate uses for technology.

4c. Using a broad repertoire of  developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches.

4d. Reflecting on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.

Positive relationships and supportive interactions are the foundations of success with young children. When we consistently and lovingly meet the needs of young children in our care, secure attachments are formed. Children who develop secure attachments are more likely to develop positive social and emotional skills. They know they can rely on us to meet their needs, to respond to them, and to comfort them. They feel important and begin to develop a sense of competence and confidence. From my own life experience I have learned a lot. I currently work with the age group of threes and fours as well I have previously worked with infants. I am also a mother of a five year old. I have learned that there will be difficult days and easy days, that keeping a positive attitude and showing your children regardless of the day you're having you are there for them means everything. I learned the most important thing I can do for my children, is love them. Through love and showing them an enthusiasm for learning, all will fall in place. They are eager to learn and love. I have learned how to interact and keep their interest, through their own ideas. Children should be given the opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas throughout the day. 

2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics 

2b: Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships 

2c: Involving families and communities in their children's development and learning

Schools, parents, and the community should work together to support the children. When teachers actively involve parents and engage in community resources they are able to respond more effectively to the needs of each child. To be effective in this work, we must first understand families who are diverse in ways such as culture, sexual orientation, economic status, work, religious beliefs, and composition. Single parent families, families of divorce, blended families, extended families, homeless families, migrant families, and gay and lesbian families represent some of the diversity in families that we work with as early childhood professionals. No matter how different families appear to outside observers, all have certain characteristics in common. Families just show them in different ways. 

In addition to building a relationship with the children and parents, it is also important to build a relationship with the community. Community involvements foster partnerships among schools, family and community groups, and individuals. These partnerships result in sharing and maximizing resources. Working together will form new relationships, friendships, and social skills. The children, even the teacher can learn about empathy, that everyone matters.  Working with the community will also help the children see that we do have differences and that's okay. We can celebrate theses differences and all pull together. 

5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines 

5b: Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines

 5c: Using their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child.

 Teachers need to use their own knowledge of appropriate learning standards and can identify resources in order to evaluate, create, and implement engaging and effective lessons for all of their students. The teacher understands how children grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, than designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.