Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 4. USING DEVELOPMENTALLY EFFECTIVE APPROACHES
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that teaching and learning with
young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on childrens ages, characteristics,
and the settings within which teaching and learning occur. They a) understand and use positive
relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children and
families. Candidates b, c) know, understand, and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate
approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and d) positively
influence each childs development and learning.
(NAEYC, 2010)
Brief Description of Evidence:
During my ECED 243 Cognitive Curriculum course, in the fall of 2013 I produced a Brain
Project consisting of the following assignments: program observations, unit plan framework, child
assessments, and fifteen teacher made activities. Through this project I used a wide array of
developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and
positively influence the childrens development and learning. I used the kits that I had made to assess the
children in their developmental skill levels as well as interact with them and their peers. I observed the
children interacting with one another through play based learning.
Analysis of What I Learned:
As a result of completing this assignment I learned multiple ways to assess childrens
developmental progress by providing multiple developmentally appropriate activities that engaged the
childrens minds. I learned that each childs developmental process is different and there are many ways
to assist a child in reaching their goals such as one on one teacher involvement, parent interaction, and
peer involvement. I learned that children progress at different paces yet they all excel in one area or
another. I watched Gardners theory of intelligence come to life while engaging in lesson and activity
plans for my classroom. In writing these plans I had to take into account all of the different learners I have
in my classroom.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:
By completing this assignment I was able to understand the value of developmentally appropriate
assessments within the classroom. I am competent in my ability to utilize diverse forms of assessments
and relaying those results in a positive way to the families so that they are able to also be involved in the
developmental learning process of their child. I was able to take the knowledge that I have gained
throughout my early childhood education courses and compile a set of developmentally appropriate
activities that were able to assist in the childs progress. I was able to provide a vast array of fun filled
activities for the children to engage in.