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 a) know about,
understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of childrens families
and communities. They use this understanding to b) create respectful, reciprocal
relationships that support and empower families, and c) to involve all families in their
childrens development and learning (NAEYC, 2010).

Brief Description of Evidence:

During my ECED 204 Families in Transition course in the Fall 2016 semester, I
completed several parts of a mastery learning project to create a family case study and
resource kit. First, I worked collaboratively with a group of peers to apply the NAEYC Code
of Ethical Conduct to a variety of scenarios. Next, I composed a questionnaire to be used
as a frame of reference to conduct a non-threatening and ethical interview with a family. I
then visited my selected family in their home on two occasions to discover through casual
interview and observation the strengths, values, challenges, and needs of the family. As a
culmination of the project I created a package of resources, and tangible materials for this
family based on their needs and desires.

Analysis of What I Learned:

During this project, I learned how to approach families whom I had previously known
on a very casual level and build more meaningful, reciprocal relationships with them.
Through the home visits and interviewing, I gained understanding about the importance of
actively listening to parents and making keen observations to help ascertain their unique
strengths and needs. While completing this project, I grew in my understanding of how to
search for reputable and meaningful community resources to support families. Reflecting
on the knowledge and insights I gained about this family, I can now correlate many
concepts of Bronfenbrenners Ecological Theory to various aspects of this familys life.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC

Standard:
This artifact demonstrates my competency in building family and community
relationships because I made a personal and professional connection with a selected
family. The family case study I composed illustrates my ability to present insights and
understanding of a familys unique characteristics, values, and challenges. Based on the
interests and needs of the family, I put together a resource kit which included community

resources to support the family. I also provided the family with tangible resources to be
used by all family members. Through a private Pinterest board and exchange of contact
information, I have established a respectful and reciprocal relationship with this family.
Additionally, I now have the knowledge and means to search out other community and
tangible resources based on the changing needs and interests of the family.