Raquel Munoz

Elective #2 HD 303

October 24, 2015

I took HD 303 (The Earliest Years) in my first semester at Pacific Oaks. This class refresh my
mind on the developmental stages of the brain. I have been working with infants, toddlers and
preschool children for the past 12 years and was already familiar with topics discuss during class.
The following questions will elaborate more my learning process.
1.

Did you fulfill your goals in taking this class? How?

During my observation at Glendale Community College really open my eyes to a different

environment setting and shifted my approached to teaching infants. Even though I have
experience in the field, I had never visited nor worked for a Reggio Emilio school. It was a very
rewarding experience observing the teachers interacting with the babies and how the babies
responded back to the teachers. The observation was helpful as it allow me to better understand
how the brain development works as an infant is growing. The field trip was the only good
experience I had taking this class. I had a hard time understanding the professor as she would use
vocabulary that the class and I would not understand. Many times I would ask her to please
repeat what needed to be done because I could not understand and again she would use the same
vocabulary that she could only understand. To me, it just made no sense. Throughout the course I
had a hard time understanding what was required from me.
2.

How did this class add to your knowledge of-------------------------?

During the college observation, I had a reflection of when I used to work in the infant classroom.
Sometimes teachers get caught up in their paperwork or daily duties that they forget that the most
important thing is to interact with the babies and letting them explore. At the college I saw, at all
times unless having to make a bottle or putting the infant to sleep, the teacher would be at the
infants eye level talking, singing and interacting with them which foster psychosocial

Raquel Munoz

Elective #2 HD 303

October 24, 2015

development. Having them explore and being able to have free choices made them feel and have
independence. During my observation, I enjoyed watching a teacher following an infant
throughout the class without over powering him. She would set up the area that the infant was in.
When the infant lost interest, he would go to another area and the teacher would once again set
up the environment. I really enjoyed watching how the teacher was so nurture as well.
3.

Have you acquired any new techniques for ----------------------------? Give an example of
one method and describe why you chose it.

I currently don't work with infants at the moment. But if I ever do work with infants in the future,
I would make sure that as a teacher I would have a strong connections with the parents. First and
foremost, I would have a "Welcome to the Program" questionnaire to better understand the infant
and the family. Getting to know each individual family being a priority and acknowledging their
concerns. I would also have a daily check in for the parents to let me know of how the baby
slept through the night and ate, as well as having concerns/ questions they might have for me in
case I am unavailable. Because the culture of every family is different I will be very cautious
and be open minded to learning new methods and teaching styles. These are just some new
techniques that I gain, as some schools just enroll and dont give the teacher feedback of the
child nor family before the child starts the program.
4. What contributions do you feel youve made to others in this class? What contributions did
others make to you?
I feel that in order for me to learn, I must share my stories and be open to suggestions from
others. As I shared, some topics were open for discussions and allow my classmates to respond
and for me to also respond to their stories. We had to do a group assignment presentation. I
participated and collaborated with resources and together made a presentation.

Raquel Munoz
5.

Elective #2 HD 303

October 24, 2015

Have you learned any new concepts that will continue to stimulate your thinking? If so, give

an example of what was most useful to you; if not, give an example of what you would have
found useful.
Teaching infants and teaching older children to me is almost the same. Having free choice,
independent play, having them explore their environment and be able to have new experiences
will foster brain development as well as learning from those experiences. Having an anti-bias
approached in teaching and allowing children to express themselves. Having acceptance and
creating an atmosphere/ environment that will foster each individuals cultural needs is very
important. Working in an infant classroom, my priority would be focusing on the infants cues
and needs. By this, I would be creating a bond and have a secure attachment. With constant
communication, parents will also have a sense of comfortless in leaving their baby with me.
6.

Reflecting on your writings and discussions, did you learn anything new about yourself?

Like previous mentioned, this class refresh my knowledge in what I like doing which is working
with children. I would have like to have a connection with the teacher like I have had with the
rest of my other teachers.