Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/Reflection

NAEYC Standard: STANDARD ONE: 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 and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child (NAEYC,2011). Brief Description of Evidence: During the semester as part of my ECED 120-Child Growth and Development course, I wrote an Erik Erikson self-study research paper about my life story through Eriksons stages based on his psychosocial theory and in unison with Freuds stages. Analysis of What I Learned: I learned how I can promote childrens development and learning through helping them to understand their emotions and behaviors. I believe, and research suggests their lack of being able to understand their emotions is what causes challenging behaviors. They need my guidance and influence to cope with their emotions. I can look for and respond to signs which demonstrate a child may be struggling with his/her emotions. Childrens emotions are a way of them expressing themselves. With this knowledge I can learn through understanding their emotions to figure out what their needs may be. How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard: My Erikson self-study research demonstrates that I am aware of characteristics of young children and emotional cues that may lead me to understand what they need to meet their needs. I gained knowledge through examining the effect of early care and each stage reflecting a childs development through the next stage of life. I am promoting childrens development and learning through being a positive asset during their early stages of life. Being aware of the influences, I create the foundation for them to have positive experiences in the rest of the stages they will encounter. I assist children and families with my understanding of emotions, behaviors, and respond to them in a respectful manner. I am competent in promoting their development and learning through positive social and emotional interactions.