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:

As part of my ECED 225 Infant and Toddler Practicum course in the fall semester of 2014, I worked
collaboratively with my classroom teacher to complete a center transformation. This transformation was based
on farmers market theme. In order to complete this transformation I had to completely transform one area in a
childcare facility. I chose to transform the dramatic play area. For this transformation to work I had to have
developmentally appropriate activities for multiple ages and developmental levels.

Analysis of What I Learned:

I have learned from completing this center transformation that changing centers around is important. In
each center there needs to be a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, clothing items, and high
quality childrens books. Each center should be changed out every so often to ensure that children continue
learn and stay interested.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC

Standard:
My competence in this standard is proven by my ability to understand that teaching young children is a
complex enterprise in which details vary depending on the childrens ages, characteristics, and the settings
within the facility. I had to know how to understand and support positive relationships and support interactions
between the children, by doing so I made sure there were enough activities for all the children and enough in
each activity for multiples to play with. I had to use developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional
strategies, and tools to positively influence each childs development and learning. I had various activities
including literacy, math, and art learning areas. Completing this center transformation is directly linked with
active learning. The children are interested in the new objects in the room and they are getting to learn by using
their senses.