Professional Portfolio Artifact(s) Reflections Cover Sheet PLO: Demonstrates the ability to integrate knowledge of the needs, the

characteristics, and multiple influences on development of children (birth to age eight) as related to high quality of care and education of young children. The Artifacts I have included to demonstrate my competence in PLO 1 include:
Observation on Domains of Development (CHDV 100, revised or enhanced in

CHDV 210) Select portions of the DRDP (CHDV 160, revised or enhanced in CHDV 210) Essay on Importance of Play (CHDV 110, revised CHDV 210) Title 22 Health and Safety Regulation Observation Project (CHDV 142, revised or enhanced, CHDV 210)
I.

Explanation: How is the content of these artifacts used to demonstrate my competence in this PLO and what specific knowledge, skills, or belief systems are demonstrated?

In order to provide a high-quality care environment, the staff should be familiar with the developmental rates and milestones of children. The staff should also be aware that every child is different and there is not one set standard to go by. The teachers should also know how children learn and how to scaffold them when necessary. Just as important as the qualifications of the teacher, is the setting of the environment. Children should be safe in every aspect, from the outside to the inside of the center.
Through the Domains for Development Observation I gained some beginning knowledge

on how to observe an individual child. This observation helped me gain skills that I now use when observing children. I am able to see and understand the different rates and stages of development. This artifact reinforced my belief that the domains are interrelated and expanded my knowledge on how.
While working on my first set of DRDPs I learned how to objectively observe a single

child and the different types of notes that I could use to observe that child. This artifact helped me realize that every child needs to be looked at individually. There cant be one standard test and expect every emerging child to pass it.
The Essay on Importance of Play demonstrates my knowledge on how important play is

in all of the domains of each child. Now, I am able to see a child play and identify how that child gaining or practicing new skill. I am also able to influence children to learn

new things while we play. I understand and believe that play is important in every childs life for them to learn and practice new skills and knowledge.
The Health and Safety Observation expanded my belief that a classroom should be one of

the safest and clean places for a child. This artifact demonstrates my knowledge of the Title 22 Regulations. With the help of this observation I can now identify potential hazards for young children and I am able to think of improvements.

II. Growth: How do these artifacts demonstrate my growth in knowledge and skill?
Observation on Domains of Development

I can clearly see how Ive grown since I took the class in which I shouldve done the Observation on Domains and Development. While doing my student teaching, I am able to see in each child what levels they are in. Now, I understand and have the necessary skills to identify their strong points and the areas that they need more help on. I have also gained the skills, thanks to my mentor to try to scaffold children in those areas, where they need it. Being in the classroom has helped me understand why these domains are crucial and why us, as teachers need to be familiar with all of them. In order for us to help the child thrive, we need to identify which levels they are in and where they need help.
DRDPs

The knowledge that I learned through my DRDPs has grown since being in CHDV 160. Watching my mentor and helping her write down notes necessary for the DRDPs has helped me become even more familiar than I was. I have also gained the skills of closely observing a child and not having to write every single thing he did down. Instead, I know exactly what to look for and I now use sticky notes to make it easier for me.
Essay on Importance of Play

Now that I am actually in classroom environment see play from a different perspective. Not only, do I get to experience and see how and what it is that children learn to play, but now I understand that play is not all they need to learn. We are here to help them while they play. In my practicum class I learned that it is very important for a teacher to be intentional in everything they do, including play. I have gained some skills through my mentor in how to assess children while they play. While our children are playing, I sit with them and I play with them. I explain things to them that they may not know to try to help them expand their knowledge. Overall my belief that play is essential has only been strengthened since I started working with children I now experience firsthand how much children learn and explore through play.

 Title 22 Regulations When I took the course in which I shouldve done the Title 22 Regulations, I knew and

understood that cleanliness and safety is important in any facility. However, now that I have gone through the assignment, I understand why. Now that I am at the center more often, I see how an environment can become a hazard really quickly. Children fall and exchange germs far more often than we do. I have learnt to help prevent them. I have learned skills, which I use to keep children safe. I watch that they wash their hands properly and remind them when they are not. I try to remind them when they do things they are not supposed to, like run inside of the classroom or ride their bicycles in the wrong area. Now that I see how easily a child can get hurt, my belief that the Title 22 Regulations are important has only grown.

III. Application: How am I going to build on the knowledge and skill that is demonstrated (In other words, what are your next steps?) and how will this knowledge, skill, or belief system be integrated into my future teaching practice.
I will use the knowledge I gained from all of these artifacts in different ways. First off I

will be able watch children and identify if they have reached their milestones. I will be able to know if their development is atypical or typical in all of the domains. When I have my own classroom I will be able to look at the whole child. I will keep up with childrens development by reading new books or taking classes to refresh my memory. One can never have too much information and new discoveries are often coming to surface so its important for teachers to be aware of changes.
In the future I will use the rigorous note taking that I have learned through the DRDPs. I

will also use the methods that I have observed my mentors use. I can already identify when a child is doing something that tells me where he is at in his development. I will attend workshops because certain aspects of the DRDPs change and I have to know them. Since we are all required to fill one out for every student.
In my classroom, my children will be allowed to play for over an hour. During this time

they will have access to different types of sensory stimulation in order to widen their curiosity. I will be present during this time to help them negotiate conflict and to scaffold them anywhere necessary without intruding on their activities. To help me keep up with any new information I will attend any conferences or enroll myself in classes which will help improve these skills, in order to benefit my children.
I will use the skills I gained through the Title 22 regulations to keep the children safe and

as healthy as possible. I will attend any conference necessary in order to learn about new regulations. I will abide by these regulations and make sure that everyone else in my

center understands and follows the Title 22 Regulations. I will also increase my knowledge by taking classes that will help me with the Title 22 Regulations