Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/Reflection

NAEYC Standard: STANDARD 4. USING DEVELOPMENTALLY EFFECTIVE APPROACHES Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that teaching and learning with young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on childrens ages, characteristics, and the settings within which teaching and learning occur. They understand and use positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children and families. Candidates know, understand, and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each childs development and learning (NAEYC, 2011). Brief Description of Evidence: My evidence is my fifteen teacher made activities I created as part of my ECED 243 class. It includes 15 teacher activities with foundations and desired skills along with photos of the activities I made and implemented with children. Analysis of What I Learned: I learned young children learn through experiences they have with others so having positive relationships and supportive interactions with children will enhance their learning and future learning experiences they will have. Early interactions with adults allow children to learn more at a younger age while their developing at a fast and constant rate. Learning in a group setting with lots of sensitive adult interaction will have a positive impact of the childs brain, social-emotional, language, motor, and cognitive development. The young minds of children are active, capable, and self-organizing. The experiences that promote growth are those that provoke the brains activity, often through the childs interest and engagement, especially through socially responsive interaction. How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard: This artifact demonstrates my competency on the NAEYC standard because I used my knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices along with foundations to create 15 teacher made activities to use with toddlers. The activities were based on the childrens ages, characteristics, and the setting within my practicum site at that time. I was able to interact with them through the activities and help each of them with their skills and capabilities. I discovered that we learn from them by the environment and opportunities which we provide for them. They learned skills through me by the guidance I gave them throughout the activities with the connection we had together.