Developmental Domains
The developmental domains I think I am the strongest in consist of all of them except literacy.
The reason I chose literacy is because the age group that I prefer being so young can only do so much in this area such as: appreciate books, join in rhyming songs, sing and recite rhymes without repeating initials sounds and interact during read aloud to name a few (Teaching Strategies. 2010). Thus, with this internship, I feel that I can gain so much more knowledge in the developmental domains, not just with the ones I feel like I need more work on but, also in the areas I feel I am the strongest. B.B. King, a blue’s singer, once quoted, “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you” (Brainy Quote. 2001-2017).
Home-School Partnerships
My role in developing a strong home-school partnerships is letting the parents know up front that I am here for their child and them as well. It is important that families know that you have their best interest especially if their child is starting school for the first time. In addition, establishing informal and ongoing methods of communicating will lay a foundation for dealing with the more sensitive issues (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012). A situation in which parents feel unwelcome, a feeling of not being valued, or intimidated by the school authorities, could constitute serious constraints to the manner in which parents may want to involve themselves in their children’s education (South African Journal of Education. p. 4-5). But, as educators, we can improve this by sending notes home, phone calls, e-mail, text messaging, photographs, and casual conversations, along with the more formal conferences (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012). Thus, this internship will shed light on situations that I may overlook or cannot find a solution too. Furthermore, this internship will help me develop skills in this area with it being a hands-on experience.
Trends/Issues
When I think about an historical trend that influences and impacts the early childhood field, I think about the War on Poverty/Head start Act. This act was started by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Head start is a federally funded program that provides high quality early childhood education to children ages 3-5 living in economically disadvantage households (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012) chap. 1.4). Although this program was to only last a few weeks throughout the summer it has turned into a yearlong program (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012) chap. 1.4). Because of this program now children and their families have an opportunity to get a head start in their education and services that will help their child if they have a delay such as, walking and speech. In addition, this program provides so many services, that it is not only beneficial to the child and their families but also the teachers. For this reason, this internship will continue to show me the importance of why I want to become a teacher and the enjoyments it brings.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
To uphold NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards I will demonstrate the ability to use developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for all young children including curriculum, interactions, teaching practices, and learning materials (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Secondly, is standard 2(building family and community relationships). I will demonstrate this by inviting families to come and share their cultures and invite community workers to show how they help in the community. Also, I will provide different diversity dolls in the home living area with posters that show different characteristics of children. Next by implementing standard 3 (Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families), I will take observation notes to see what areas the child lacks in. Similarly, where I see the child is lacking I will incorporate activities in my lesson plans that will build their knowledge in this area. Thirdly, is standard 4 (Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families), by this standard I will foster language and communication skills, creating schedules and routines for the children to follow, create support for play, etc. (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Likewise, in standard 5(Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum), I will use their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Lastly, is standard 6 (Becoming a Professional). I will continue to learn the standards more in depth while learning “the national, state, or local standards” (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009), to become more qualified. In conclusion, with NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct, this means honoring their responsibilities to uphold high standards of confidentiality, sensitivity, and respect for children, families, and colleagues.
The developmental domains I think I am the strongest in consist of all of them except literacy.
The reason I chose literacy is because the age group that I prefer being so young can only do so much in this area such as: appreciate books, join in rhyming songs, sing and recite rhymes without repeating initials sounds and interact during read aloud to name a few (Teaching Strategies. 2010). Thus, with this internship, I feel that I can gain so much more knowledge in the developmental domains, not just with the ones I feel like I need more work on but, also in the areas I feel I am the strongest. B.B. King, a blue’s singer, once quoted, “The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you” (Brainy Quote. 2001-2017).
Home-School Partnerships
My role in developing a strong home-school partnerships is letting the parents know up front that I am here for their child and them as well. It is important that families know that you have their best interest especially if their child is starting school for the first time. In addition, establishing informal and ongoing methods of communicating will lay a foundation for dealing with the more sensitive issues (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012). A situation in which parents feel unwelcome, a feeling of not being valued, or intimidated by the school authorities, could constitute serious constraints to the manner in which parents may want to involve themselves in their children’s education (South African Journal of Education. p. 4-5). But, as educators, we can improve this by sending notes home, phone calls, e-mail, text messaging, photographs, and casual conversations, along with the more formal conferences (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012). Thus, this internship will shed light on situations that I may overlook or cannot find a solution too. Furthermore, this internship will help me develop skills in this area with it being a hands-on experience.
Trends/Issues
When I think about an historical trend that influences and impacts the early childhood field, I think about the War on Poverty/Head start Act. This act was started by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Head start is a federally funded program that provides high quality early childhood education to children ages 3-5 living in economically disadvantage households (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012) chap. 1.4). Although this program was to only last a few weeks throughout the summer it has turned into a yearlong program (Estes, L.S., & Krogh, S. L. (2012) chap. 1.4). Because of this program now children and their families have an opportunity to get a head start in their education and services that will help their child if they have a delay such as, walking and speech. In addition, this program provides so many services, that it is not only beneficial to the child and their families but also the teachers. For this reason, this internship will continue to show me the importance of why I want to become a teacher and the enjoyments it brings.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
To uphold NAEYC’s Professional Preparation Standards I will demonstrate the ability to use developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for all young children including curriculum, interactions, teaching practices, and learning materials (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Secondly, is standard 2(building family and community relationships). I will demonstrate this by inviting families to come and share their cultures and invite community workers to show how they help in the community. Also, I will provide different diversity dolls in the home living area with posters that show different characteristics of children. Next by implementing standard 3 (Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families), I will take observation notes to see what areas the child lacks in. Similarly, where I see the child is lacking I will incorporate activities in my lesson plans that will build their knowledge in this area. Thirdly, is standard 4 (Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families), by this standard I will foster language and communication skills, creating schedules and routines for the children to follow, create support for play, etc. (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Likewise, in standard 5(Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum), I will use their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009). Lastly, is standard 6 (Becoming a Professional). I will continue to learn the standards more in depth while learning “the national, state, or local standards” (The National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009), to become more qualified. In conclusion, with NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct, this means honoring their responsibilities to uphold high standards of confidentiality, sensitivity, and respect for children, families, and colleagues.