When it comes to teaching children there are many different ways in which a child can learn. One of the issues in todays day in age is when we try to measure how much a child has learned, and how much a child knows. The problem being is that all children are different, meaning that they all learn in different ways. Therefore a child's knowledge can not be measured if they are only being taught in one singular way, because those children who may learn better with a different style of learning are more likely to fall behind.

The country that has the most successful learning rate in the world uses the approach of a learning environment that is free from the large pressures academia that are put on children. Meaning that during early childhood they focus more on letting children be children, learning by exploring their own environment, and developing in a way that they are most comfortable with. 

Thank You

Throughout the duration of my early childhood studies course I have had the pleasure of being able to engage with many different people who are apart of the early childhood field, and discover what their professional goals and aspirations are for this field. Two colleagues that I would like to give a special thanks to would be Sarah Kasco and Leslie Warren. 

These two colleagues have truly opened my eyes to what it means to be apart of this profession, how being apart of this profession really affects and helps children, and why the early childhood field is so important. They have also made me realize how much more there is to the early childhood field, that it is not just about teaching children, but that it is caring for them, nurturing their learning experiences, and how important advocating for the children is.

Three important ideals that are contained in the NAEYC codes of ethics that are significant in my professional life. 

1. To recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities, and potential of each child. 
• All children are different, meaning that they learn in different ways. It is important for early childhood professionals to recognize this in order to meet the needs of the children that they work with. 
2. To Support the right of each child to play and learn in an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities.
• Children need to be able to explore their environment in a safe manner so that they can grow  and learn. The best way for children to be able to accomplish this is by play. Play is the most important part of a child's life, and is something that all early childhood professionals must realize. 
3. To ensure that each child's culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.  
• A child's culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are all things that are very important in a child's life, even though some may be more important than others. It is imperative that early childhood professionals learn what these things mean to each child and their families, and find ways to include these ways in there lessons to make the children feel included. 

Reference:
NAEYC. (2005, April). Code of ethical conduct and statement of commitment. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from.http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf

 

Course Resources:

A couple of interesting resources that help spread knowledge about the early childhood field. 

• NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2018, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf 

• Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller

• UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

• National Association for the Education of Young Children. http://www.naeyc.org/

• National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education. http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/

"A built in passion, that it was important to make a real contribution to the world, and to fix all the injustices in the world. I wanted to do that through teaching" - Louise Derman-Spark

"Education is the solution to poverty and other social woes"- Edward Zigler, Ph.D.

Personal Childhood Web

The first person in my personal childhood web is my mom. The way in which my mom has influenced my life is because she has cared for me, nurtured me, and has always made me feel special. To this day she still does all those things. She cares for me when I am sick, she nurtures me by making sure I eat each day, when she does these things for me she always makes me feel special and important. 

The second person would be my dad. The way in which my dad had influenced my life is by always being there when I needed him, and he still is. If I ever need or have needed help with anything he has been there, whether it was with homework, or helping me figure out the right college that I would want to go to when I got my bachelors degree. 

Then theres my older brother. My brother is nine years older than me so he was always taking care of his little sister by watching out for me, and always making me laugh, he still does. My brother was the one to teach me how to ride a bike.

My Auntie Sherry is another big influence in my life. My cousins were close to my age I often spent a lot of time by her house, on the occasions when my parents went out of town she would be the one to watch me. Since they have pool at there house I spent many summers there as well. Growing up my Aunt Sherry took care of me much like my mother did. My aunt is also a teacher, so if I ever have any questions about anything I know I can go to her.

My Grandma Chris is the last but not least person in my personal childhood web. Growing up my grandma was like what you would usually expect from a grandmother, she spoiled my cousins and I. Whenever my grandparents would watch me my grandma always made sure to get all of my favorite snacks, and find fun things for us to do. I love to bake and she is one of the people that influenced that interest since she used to work in bakery, and her mother was always cooking and baking as well.

Favorite Early Childhood Story

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is my all time favorite children's book, my mother read it to me when I was young, because when I first started preschool I had a hard time being away from my mom at first. When it comes to early childhood education it is just that, early, meaning this is the first time that children will be away from their parents, and doing new things they have never done before. Since I work at a childcare center, when new children start in the center, who have never been away from there parents, or family before, this book is amazing for children to be able to let go of those fears they may have of being somewhere new, and being away from their parents and family for the first time. Making them more comfortable in wanting to learn, try new things, and make new friends.

Welcome!

Hi there!

Here you will discover all things having to do with the field of early childhood education. What it means to work with young children. All the experiences that come with working in a child care profession, and the joy that it can bring.