Standard 4: Teaching and Learning Students prepared in associate degree programs integrate their understanding of and relationships with

children and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all young children. 4b: Knowing, understanding, and using effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education. Rationale: Planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and challenging curriculum and learning environment, and following an appropriate daily schedule demonstrates that I know, understand, and use effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education. For NAEYC Standard 4b, I chose an activity plan, based on Science Foundation F.1.2, F.1.6, and F.1.8, that I used in the spring of 2011. I told the story, The Little Red Hen, using a felt board. I then encouraged the children to engage in an activity that involved grinding oats and wheat into flour (Bredekamp & Copple,1997), imitating the hen in the story. Applying the Foundations when planning curriculum assures that I use effective approaches, strategies, and tools to promote positive development and learning. Reflection: The Foundations for Young Children emphasizes the importance of offering activities and learning environments in which children have opportunities to play, explore, and experiment. When I observe children participating in this and similar activities, I see them taking in information, making decisions, solving problems, and experimenting with the materials. This has helped me understand the benefits of using effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education.

References Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (1997). Constructing appropriate curriculum. In Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs (Revised Edition ed., p. 130). Washington DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. (Original work published 1986) Indiana department of education and family and social services administration, division of family resources, bureau of child care. (n.d.). Foundations to the Indiana academic standard for young children from birth to age 5. Retrieved from http://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/curriculum/ indianafoundations1.pdf