Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 4. USING DEVELOPMENTALLY EFFECTIVE APPROACHES
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that teaching and learning with
young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on childrens ages, characteristics,
and the settings within which teaching and learning occur. They understand and use positive
relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children and
families. Candidates know, understand, and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches,
instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each
childs development and learning. (NAEYC, 2010)

Brief Description of Evidence:

During the fall 2014 semester class of ECED 243, using my knowledge of the needs and interests of
the children in my care, I created ten Developmentally appropriate activity kits which were used for
hands on learning in a variety of settings such as: small group time, one on one assessments, learning
centers, and as send home activities.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through the completion of these projects I have learned that it is a lot more affordable to use
natures supplies. Also the children are more engaged in the activities when nature is involved. I noticed
that when the children saw my activities they were calm and studied them before they starting them
instead of racing to the activities and being anxious. I learned that simple activities can help children be
creative.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

I believe these activities are related to Rudolf Steiners, also known as the Waldorf approach where
Academic subjects are kept from children in Waldorf schools until a much later age. The day is filled with
make-believe, fairies, art, music and generally the arts, putting off reading, writing and math until age
seven or so. A Waldorf room is warm, colorful, cared-for and filled with natures beauty and variety play is
the heart of the Waldorf early childhood program. During these projects each child had to use their
imaginations and were completely engaged in every activity.