Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 5. USING CONTECT KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD MEANINGFUL
CURRICULUM
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs use their knowledge of academic
disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development
and learning for each and every young child. Candidates understand the importance of
developmental domains and academic (or content) disciplines in early childhood curriculum.
They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas, including
academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding. Candidates use
their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful,
challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcome for
every young child.

Brief Description of Evidence:

In the spring of 2010, I took ECED 103, Curriculum Early Childhood Education. I put together a
prop box that contained things you would find in an office. There were a couple calendars, dress
up clothes (tie, high heels, and dress shirts), paper clips, cell phone, landline, calculator,
envelopes, and sign that children made. I presented the box to children and let them do what
they wanted with the materials inside. The children set up their own office.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through this artifact, I learned how to create a prop box filled with interactive supplies. I learned
how to create a prop box based on a theme. Also, I learned how to connect the prop box to
different subjects. I put many interactive supplies that would be found in an office, but I also
added dress up clothes. By doing this box, I also learned how to encourage children to interact
with each other while using this prop. I agree with Lev Vygotskys theory of approach. He
believed that children learn through hands-on activities and experiences. He stressed the
importance of play based learning. I also think play based learning is important.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

This artifact demonstrates my competence of the NAEYC standard because I learned how to
create, implement, and reflect on experiences. This artifact shows my knowledge of
developmental domains because I used different subjects under one main theme. I also identified
resources to deepen their understanding by using an office theme and encouraging children to
name and create their own office setting. I have reflected on this prop box and could easily
implement it again. This prop box provided a meaningful and challenging activity that promoted
comprehension for all children.