Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/Reflection NAEYC Standard:

STANDARD 7. EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD EXPERIENCES Field experiences and clinical practice are planned and sequenced so that candidates develop the knowledge, skills and professional dispositions necessary to promote the development and learning of young children across the entire developmental period of early childhood in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth age 3, 3 through 5, 5 through 8 years) and in the variety of settings that offer early education (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs). (NAEYC, 2011)

Brief Description of Evidence:

In the timespan of Fall 2011 to the present moment, I have gained much experience working within early education settings through volunteering and my ECED 235, Preschool Practicum. I have volunteered in a Kindergarten and 1st grade classroom. I spent many hours in the classroom observing, developing activities, promoting positive social/emotional skills, and assessing the childrens academic levels. Within my practicum, I was expected to practice and develop my own skills as a professional in different criteria.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Throughout my experiences in the classroom settings, I have been able to learn the expectations of development and the processes in which to support/engage multiple learning styles. I have learned how to better handle situations between myself and other professionals, families, and students. I have learned flexibility as an educator and become a better intentional teacher. I have a keen sense of how to build my philosophy of education based upon my experiences in the classroom.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

Through my experiences I have been able to develop skills in all three of the early childhood age groups. I have shown an ability to make myself available to develop my skills through multiple processes. I have worked collaboratively with other professionals and allowed for growth in my knowledge of assessment and engaging activities in daily routines. I have gained an understanding of the practices used in the classroom to teach the whole child and follow the foundations/standards at hand. I have obtained the ability to develop my own classroom in an effective format and I have been able to fine tune my philosophy of education based upon my experiences.