Guidance Philosophy

My personal guidance and discipline philosophy is that each child is unique and should be treated as individuals.  They should be treated with respects as they attempt to figure out who they are and who they desire to become.  Children’s self-worth, self-esteem and self-confidence are most important in the education process of learning.  I believe that allowing children to make choices and mistakes is a part of their learning process.  Developmentally appropriate expectations and limits are necessary in creating an environment that is trusting for children.  Children should be redirected by using a firm tone followed up with actions to redirect undesirable behavior. I believe that professionals should be consistent and fair.  If a child does not know what to expect or what is expected of them, how will they learn what fair means.  Effective encouragement and praise should be used on regular planed bases but not over done.  Praise and encourage helps build the child’s self-esteem and promotes the child to take ownership of their behavior. I believe at all times using developmentally appropriate approaches I will ensure that I am nurturing the whole child.  I believe that Jesus Christ is at the center of it all.  Reading the word of God to children, reciting scriptures, and praying gives the child a spiritual connection to a power that is higher than them.   
 

Child development involves the whole child.  It is the changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescences as the individual progresses from dependency to independency. It is a continuous process with a predictable sequence yet has a unique and different outcome for each child.  It does not progress at the same rate and each stage is affected by the preceding types of development. I most agree with the theories Erik Erikson’s form of guidance. I believe that children should be given choices to decide for themselves and take ownership of the outcome rather good or bad, to help them with a sense of autonomy.  Reasonable freedom of choices and not forcing shame or guilt for the choices is an excellent way for children to learn from their own mistakes.

   
I believe that as I continue to grown in my knowledge and experience in the early education field I will become stronger at identify new ways to guide and discipline children in a way that will encourage them and build them up.  I will continue to strengthen my thought process in understanding that children are in their most critical years as I take part in the molding and shaping process of guiding them in to.  I will continue to treat each child with dignity, respect, and value their feelings at all times.  Most importantly I will continue to remind myself that children are unique little people that will one day run this nation and rule the world, with the help of the Lord, my prayers, and my guidance.