Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 2. BUILDING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that successful early childhood education depends
upon partnerships with childrens families and communities. They know about, understand, and value the importance
and complex characteristics of childrens families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful,
reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their childrens development
and learning. (NAEYC, 2010)

Brief Description of Evidence:
During the fall semester of 2013 during my ECED 233-Emerging Literacy course, I developed what would be a
partnership with my future students and their families. The artifact consists of an analysis of two childrens books in
which I provided a detailed understanding for as well as discussed their value toward the development of childrens
literacy. Consisted within each packet are extensive summaries, detailed descriptions of the author and illustrator,
informative literacy packets, directions and materials for each developmentally appropriate activity, and take-home
packets including materials that involve all families. Each activity performed is developmentally appropriate in
stimulating the progression of literacy skills.
Analysis of What I Learned:
Through completion of these literacy packets I was able to create respectful, reciprocal relationships with both
families and communities in promoting literacy progression in young children. Families are a crucial aspect in a childs
growth and development and so the purpose of these packets is to encourage families as well as the community to
positively interact with their children. By providing support, families feel empowered when provided the direction and
materials needed to produce an educational activity with their child. According to Maria Montessori, children need
interactive activities involving their senses in order to effectively learn new material. Each organized literacy activity
promotes children to take the information acquired through numerous senses and integrate it with the activity. Through
this artifact I now understand the value and importance of literacy as an early start of a young childs educational career.
Through the early exposure to literacy, children are able to incorporate their skills with numerous activities including
print, non-print, reading, writing, science, math, and so much more.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:
This project is just one of many projects in which I worked to understand the value and importance of early
literacy in a childs educational growth and development. I also now understand the value and importance of developing
reciprocal and respectful partnerships involving all families and the community in order to work together to provide the
most effective and developmentally appropriate education for young children. This artifact proves my competence of
the NAEYC standard because I ensure all families as well as the community have an opportunity to involve themselves in
the childrens literacy development. Within the literacy packets are materials and information extending the days
learning. Following this project, I feel I am more informed that my teaching practices are developmentally appropriate
for my future students. I have a better understanding of creating age-appropriate activities that will positively influence
their literacy progression by providing them with the proper materials and subject matter to help them progress in their
educational journey.