NAEYC Standard Seven

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EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD EXPERIENCES

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Key Elements:

7a & 7b. Opportunities to observe and practice in early childhood age groups (birth – age 3, 3-5, 5-8) or early education settings (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs)

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To display my understanding of Key Element 7a, I used the artifact preschool practicum. I had the privilege to observe the preschool classroom at Day Early Learning. I worked alongside of a wonderful teacher and teacher assistant for one hundred and forty four hours during the summer of this year. During this time of observation I was able to experience a classroom environment totally different then the Ministry I have worked in for over sixteen years.  The learning environment was very large allotting plenty of room for the children to explore and play without being overwhelmed in each other’s space.  There were far more centers within the classroom then required. The teachers frequently changed the item for the children to engage in on a daily bases making in a new exciting day every day.  While the routine and schedule was always the same the lessons and exploratory items were always new. The children were the driving force behind the structure of the lessons that were offered. The large and small gross motor skills were encouraged daily through the outdoor environment which was also very large with lots of equipment for the children to enjoy and supported their developmental skills on every level. What I enjoyed most during my observation was that literacy was promoted throughout the indoor and outdoor environment by simply providing both large and small ready areas, some quite places for the children to be alone in. Books, writing pads and pens were in every center along with lots of words and pictures. 

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To display my understanding of Key Element 7b, I used the artifact site observation. As teachers we observe children so that we can see what they know and if they are able to apply their knowledge to various situations and circumstances.  When teachers observe children in their natural classroom setting we see them in a much more relaxed mode making them more aped to display what they truly have retained.  Teachers can use what you learn to see what needs to be taught through the daily activate, lesson plans, how to structure the classroom and what materials to place in the centers. Observing preschool children is important to the teachers so that they can plan according to a child's strengths and weaknesses. Teachers need to observe to see how children like to play and how they interact with each other.  Children can be quite amazing in what they think and why. Observing is a first step and then interacting with them yourself and finally leading a class. It is imperative for teachers to get to know them, their temperaments, and their personalities. Observation is a key tool for knowing a child’s behavior, when a teacher aware of the child’s behavior they are more habits and their behavior changes then you know that something might be wrong. Because each child is unique observation helps teachers know how to handle and help the child as an individual. When you observe children you are discovering what their abilities are, how they best learn, what they know now and what they need to learn next. Our overall objective is to encourage children to love to learn and become lifelong learners; observations will give teachers insight on the lessons and activities to plan that will motivate them to become more engaged in the lessons.

 

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