Early Childhood Competencies1. Promoting Child Development and Learning

Educators are grounded in a child development knowledge base. They use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning, to create environments and learning opportunities that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each and every child.

1.1 Knows and understands young children’s characteristics and needs, and the variation within and across developmental domains, birth to grade 3.

Evidence 1:

Human Growth and Development, PSY 1050, Community College of Vermont, Fall 2004, JSC Transcript

Description:

This course provides a study of human growth and development throughout the life cycle including physical, cognitive, linguistic, ethical and psychosocial dimensions. It as well focused on areas to Identify and discuss issues in human growth and development arising from differences in gender, race, and class.

Analysis/Reflection:

Information from this course helped me understand how children are affected through influences such as their family structures, abuse and neglect, and social class. Throughout this course we discussed how the human body develops through the lifespan from infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging. As I learned how environmental and genetic factors can influence growth and development, I gained knowledge on theorists like Jean Piaget's and Lev Vygotsky on theory of cognitive development and social development. This course reinforced the theories I learned in the Child Development course I took previously.

As a family child care provider working with children birth to 8 years, I understand that creating a bond with the children is essential to develop strong attachments for growth and development. I rarely have a substitute teacher for my program. I believe children need a safe, consistent caregiver to feel relaxed and comfortable while they are in care.

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Evidence 2:

Introduction to Early Childhood Education, EDU 1030, Community College of Vermont, Spring 1995, CCV Transcript

Description:

This course is an overview of early childhood education. Students will examine historical, philosophical, and practical issues related to the education of children from birth to age eight. Topics include early childhood learning, behavior, and motivation; curriculum models and materials; observation techniques; and instructional issues.

Analysis/Reflection:

I received these course credits through Community College of Vermont’s course Assessment of Prior Learning. I was able to prove I received the learning by my experience and hands on working with children birth through age 8 years. My experience included coursework through CCV in Child Development and Methods and Materials in ECE. My past job placements also were major factors, such as my positions at Mary Johnson Children’s Center, Children’s Growth Company, and my registered home child care program as well. Through these experiences I learned how to design a classroom setting, taking into account the cognitive, social, and physical needs of the children enrolled.

In my program, I am constantly observing adult/child and child/peer interactions throughout the day to make sure the learning environment is effective with all the children. In one instance, I had two 1 year olds that were very interested in the book area looking at books. Although they had board books to look at and explore, they always chose the paperback books, and within minutes would rip or destroy the books. Instead of preventing them from exploring the books, I bought several "indestructible books" for them to look at and explore without having the books get ripped or destroyed.

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Evidence 3:

Child Development, PSY 115, Community College of Vermont, Fall 1988, CCV Transcript

Description:

A study of child development from conception to preadolescence. The course emphasizes physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of the child. Developmental theories and their practical applications will be examined.

Analysis/Reflection:

This was my very first college course after I graduated high school. I was working at Mary Johnson Children’s Center and they suggested I take this course to get the overview of a child’s development. I learned many aspects of the development of the child, from prenatal period through adolescence. Through this course I gained knowledge of how genetic and environmental influences affect a child’s development. This was my first experience understanding the background of research and theoretical approaches in the child development field. My interest and fascination in child development through this course has guided me into a lifelong career in early childhood education.

Being in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years, I view the environment as the third teacher. In doing so, I take special pride in designing my indoor and outdoor classrooms. I believe that a hands-on learning environment is the key to a child's success in their development and learning potential. Below are a few pictures of my indoor and outdoor classrooms. The fist picture is of my playroom with the climbing loft, dramatic play area, light table, and the tree house dollhouse I made. The second picture is of just one area (log climber) in my outdoor classroom.

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