Standard 4: Using developmentally effective approaches to connect with children

and families.
Key elements:
4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning
approaches.
4d: Reflecting on own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.
Course: action research (ECED3090).
Assignment: using puppets to help children retell stories.
The teacher is responsible of providing different learning experiences and
activities that are age and developmentally appropriate for children which is essential
to teach young children. Therefore, an early childhood teacher should be able to use
different approaches in teaching to ensure children's involvement, understanding and
enthusiasm. Furthermore, the teacher should ensure the effectiveness of the various
approaches she is using by implementing and evaluating them. Thus, the teacher will
be able to understand and improve her practices.
This assignment was about doing a small-scale action research. Staring with
choosing a topic that is related to classroom practices; then searching about what
others have done and ending with applying with children and coming out with results.
Even though, I read a lot about the topic, it was more useful when I applied the
research with children.
I studied in one of the courses about scientific research, so I thought that in
this course we were going to study about it again. However, it was different and much
more interesting. I realized that action research is about solving problems and
modification of practices. What is good about action research is that the teacher is
searching for solutions based on her classroom circumstances. It is really important
for the teacher to plan varied experiences for children and plan to change what is not
effective for them.