Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection

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:
I chose a lesson plan I created during my ECED 235, Preschool Practicum course I took in the Spring of
2012. The lesson plan I have choose as my artifact was geared around Science. The lesson plan was
created based on the characteristics, ages and developmental stages of the children in the class. I chose
this center as my artifact, because to create it, I first had to know and understand the importance, central
concepts, instructional strategies and inquiry tools and structures of the specific content area. For this
center, I composed a list of items that would be beneficial for each childs science development. The
children had to use problem solving skills, inquiry skills and fine motors skills to complete the lesson.
Analysis of What I Learned:
It showed that I could create an activity using simple items that were still challenging to the
children in the class. I also learned how I could change my lesson plan to accommodate a child with
special needs or less developed fine motor skills. I also learned the importance of making sure the activity
is based for a certain amount of participants. Knowing your children and how many can participate at one
time is very important. It helps for a smooth center.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:
To show my competency in this area, I chose the lesson plan that I created that positively
influenced each childs development and learning by making sure that I knew where each child was
developmentally and the lesson plan was age appropriate. My main goal was to make sure I could
challenge each child to recognize the shape of the animals and to be able to tell me which one was bigger
or smaller. Being able to work with a small group of individuals with no more than three children at a
time gave me a chance to spend more time with the children who could not complete the activity, which
shows that I am able to adjust our surroundings to teach and for the children to learn. It helped me
understand and use positive relationships and supportive interactions to work with the children and their
families for take home activities. Lev Vygotsky believed that children learn actively and through hands-
on experiences. I believe that as well.