Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/Reflection NAEYC Standard:

STANDARD 1. PROMOTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs are grounded in a child development knowledge base. They use their understanding of young childrens characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on childrens development. (NAEYC, 2011)

Brief Description of Evidence:

During the spring semester of 2013 in my ECED 120, I conducted research based upon Erik Eriksons theory of Psychosocial Development, I completed a self-study to develop an understanding of young childrens characteristics and needs. This self-study enabled me to openly study and reflect upon the diverse influences I have personally overcome. This project required documentation of each stage and decide how I left the stage and the influences causing this. The project also required me to visualize what could have happened differently to prevent a negative outcome; enabling me with better knowledge to create a developmentally appropriate environment for young children.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through this self-study, I was able to use positive interactions to work collaboratively with my family to gain an understanding of my own psychosocial development. I was able to analyze and create future situations in which would further support my own development. Through this project, I learned the characteristics and needs of children birth through age 8 by organizing my own lifes seque nce into each stage. I have learned and understand the multiple influences on early development and learning by observing, reflecting, and recording upon my own life experiences. Within my research, I have learned ways to better create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments by learning the needs of each psychosocial development stage.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

This project required re-established relationships within my family and collaborative work to understand my development. I was able to view how my own environment affected my psychosocial stages. I was able to research Eriksons Psychosocial Development theory and view the characteristics and needs of children in each stage. I was able to reflect upon how the developmental process is reliant upon developmentally appropriate practices at school and home. In my own classroom, I can use my experiences I have surpassed to incorporate a level of empathy with children and families.