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Philosophy paper
ECE 1414
children with positive learning experiences. My role in guidance and development is very
important. Children have the right to receive the proper education and learning
experiences in the learning environment. I believe children are most compelled to learn
when they have opportunities to explore with materials and make choices in an enriched
environment. Education is a continuing process and the building blocks of learning are
Each child is a unique individual with infinite capacities for learning. My goal as
a childhood educator is to allow for a rich environment where they feel comfortable to
explore, trigger learning, and feel free to express themselves. When children are motivated
and encouraged to interact with their classmates and adults in positive ways, they feel
comfortable to explore and make more choices. Also I am a firm believer in the aspect of adult
scaffolding and that it tends to lack in the school system today. Teachers need to support the
childs current level of thinking and also challenge them to advance his or her abilities. In order to
accomplish this the teacher needs to build trust and empathy with the student to make them feel
free and open with the teacher and in the learning process. This will help the child too also gain
self-confidence. As a teacher I seek to form a close relationship with each child and their families.
I feel the childs first teachers are their parents. Theyre the ones that know the child best. I feel
that having a close relationship with the family helps me, as a teacher understand he childs
strengths and weaknesses better, as well as his or her interest. I strongly believe in striving to
form an environment where different cultural backgrounds are encouraged and welcomed in the
classroom.
Early childhood learning occurs through play. Although play is quite fun for all
involved, children learn by doing and actively participating. As I stated above, children
who are given the opportunity to explore, are more comfortable to actively learn. It
allows for them to make choices and learn from mistakes as well. I believe children can
learn through different forms of play. Whether its, active play, quiet play, creative, or
dramatic play. Each child has their own way of expressing their strengths through
different ways. It is my role as a teacher to make the play environment safe for children
by creating and providing the proper materials indoor and outdoors. Also to continually
be creative in different types of play activities that provides for different learning
opportunities.
Lastly I feel that the active participatory learning aspect is necessary for cognitive
development. Young children learn best through self-initiated activity such as moving,
listening, searching, feeling and manipulating. Children are able to combine materials and
experiences to create new ideas and learning experiences. In doing so, this allows for
them to become active learners with the adult-scaffolding taking place. As theorist Jean
Piaget emphasizes, children learn best through activities they plan and carry out
themselves. They are intentional learners. It is my job to observe and support this by
creating interest areas in the learning environment. Teachers should encourage and
motivate young children to make their own choices, solve problems, and engage in
new learning experiences through play along with the freedom to explore and make
choices. I also seek to form close relationships with the students and their families in our
journey together. Finally, I will see each child as a unique individual who has infinite
capacities of learning.