Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/ Reflection NAEYC Standard: STANDARD 3.

OBSERVING, DOCUMENTING, AND ASSESSING TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. They know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development of every child. (NAEYC, 2010) Brief Description of Evidence: As part of my job description, I have to assess children using a program called ISTAR KR. I understand that child observation is key when it comes to assessing children. Observation and assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. The children that I assess are evaluated on five basic topics. The main subjects that the children are assessed under are: Mathematics, Physical skills, Personal care skills, English/language arts, and Social/emotional skills. Each main subject has several subtopics that go into further detail about the childs skills. Different questions give an end result to where a child may or may not be. After assessing the children a conference is set up with the parent to go over the childs development and behaviors. I understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment because it helps me to understand what the specific child may need extra help. After the assessment is done, it is important to partner with the parent to positively influence the development of the child. Analysis of what I learned: After assessing each child in my classroom I understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. It is extremely important to know where each individual child in your classroom stands, as far as development. It is important because you, as a teacher, need to make sure each child is getting the highest ability of education they can receive. It is the teachers job to educate the child. If a teacher does not know what the child knows or does not know, then how can the teacher educate the child? Also, I learned that after assessing each child it is extremely important to conference with the parents to make sure both parties are aware in regard with the child at hand. Parents and teachers can work together to form the child and positively influence the development of the child.

How this artifact demonstrates my competence on the NAEYC standard: By assessing the children with ISTAR KR, I can properly develop an analysis of where the child is developmentally. I can use the systematic observations. I can use documentation by taking pictures of the child, keeping artwork the child creates, and taking anecdotal notes on each child. I can partner with the families to positively influence the development of the child. I will keep in contact with the parents, converse with them about their childs day. I will always be open and available for conversation and concerns with each individual childs parents. I will partner with other professionals by attending trainings and workshops to educate myself. I will also partner with my co-workers by giving and taking ideas from their classrooms to my own. I will remain flexible and available for each individual that further promotes my professional development in the early childhood field.