Professional Reflection
I am currently studying an Early Childhood Degree BA (Hons) at U.W.E Bristol. I have a passion for working with children and aiming to progress onto Primary Teaching PGCE. From as far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher, setting up mock classrooms and playing with my younger sibling and cousins. When I was 14, I started volunteering for a Dorchester youth project which aimed to help improve facilities for young people in the area. This consisted of organising half term and summer holiday workshops for children in various villages across Dorset, leading various activities. I also, organised a free youth, music and culture festival and fundraised money for youth shelters and improving play areas. This, and work experience in primary schools enforced my goal to become a teacher. My journey to higher education began when I was studying my A- levels which which brings me here today. I am currently a bank staff at the Halley Nursery and I am presently fundrasing money to travel to Ecuador for the VESA volunteering Project. The project includes; repairing schools and playgrounds, setting up clean water sanitation and teaching English to children. I inspire to make a positive difference on the future of children and
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It has made me acknowledge skills i need to work on and what steps in need to take to reach my end goal. Research from the EPPE project found quality provision and children cognitive outcomes in preschool led by staff with graduate degree qualifications. (Sylva et al, 2004) Therefore, I must ensure that I gain a 2:1 or above in my Early childhood Degree as my qualification with impact on the outcomes of children and open the door to my professional future. I recognise that I still have a long journey ahead, while I continue to adjust and adapt from the novice to the expert within my
However, reputation and the amount of learning goals put strains on early year’s practitioners when assessing the areas of development. This became one of the significant changes in the new reform in 2012 lowering the amount to make it clearer to follow and to have a clear understanding of what adds value to their work with children (Tickell, 2011).
A significant facet of an early childhood professional is the ability to work with families. This however can be an area in which many professionals entering into the field can feel inadequate. In order to fully support all areas of a child’s performance as a professional it is critical to work with their families. In order to effectively work with families, you must be able to understand the diversity and complexity of families.
Elliott, A. (2004). Where to Now for Early Childhood Education and Care? Early Childhood Education Research Program (ACER), 12(2).
As a qualified early years practitioner level 2, I am a reliable and motivated, and delicate to children’s individual needs. Its really important for an early year practitioner to have a range of skills and attributes to a good level of knowledge in many areas such as child development, observation and assessment, safeguarding, legislation, policies and procedures also working with others.
To add on, families will have a better understanding of the programmes and will be able to differentiate and choose the best quality education and care services for their children.... ... middle of paper ... ... Early childhood professionals leading today and tomorrow. Marrickville, NSW: MacLennan & Petty.
Upon reflection of Module QF5000 I have improved my ability to work collaboratively, acknowledged my own management style, made changes to both my own practice and my setting and contributed to the continuous professional development of my colleagues. I have learnt that my strengths are organisation and leadership and that public speaking is an area I would like to improve upon. My ability to reflect has facilitated change that will ultimately improve my practice as an Early Years Practitioner.
Every teacher has this potential whether they are aware of it or not. I have been a teacher for nine years in early childhood education and within those nine years I have become very aware of how powerful the smallest act of caring can turn a person’s life around or even just make someone’s day a little better. Being a preschool teacher has brought me great pleasure to my life simply brightening a child’s day and knowing that I am making a difference in their life. Through my journey as a teacher I have thought about how I can advance in my career field and still be active with children on a daily basis and continue making a difference in each child’s life as well as their parents. With plenty of thought and research I have come to the conclusion and gained the interest to become a preschool and childcare director.
The results of quality preschool programs can be seen early after they begin. Children learn many important life le...
I wanted to start making a difference in kids as soon as I had the chance. I started to take Early Childhood Education classes at my school. This course was rigorous and so important, due to the fact we ran a preschool of 20 four and five-year old’s. Their education was in our hands; we were that building block for their first insight on school. I feel in love with writing lesson plans and being hand in hand with other teachers and the students became a part of my life that I never wanted to go away. I interned at an elementary school just to get more involved and learn more about collaborating. I started taking a Teaching as a Profession class, so I could not only know today’s education but become familiar with the history of education, how to accommodate your classroom for students with special needs, and the issues in todays education. I completed this class and took the state mandated test to complete the pathway and get a cord at graduation. I came in on Sundays to work and study with my teacher for this test and it all paid off when I passed the test with the highest score out of the nine people who took the test. While this was all happening I was inducted into National Beta Club for my grades and averages in my classes, which mostly included advanced courses. I then completed the Early
From the perspective I have at this stage in my journey in the early childhood education field, I would like to share what I have come to value and believe in regards to early learning and care by looking at my philosophy statement. To begin we will look at the statement and highlight three key features and find out why they are important to me, then we will see what they will look like in my practice, and lastly we will examine these ideas closely by looking at where they originated. By taking an in-depth look at my philosophy statement we will better understand the motivation behind my practice which I hope to continue to refine and refresh as I gain more knowledge and experience.
How one plans to tackle all of the challenges will help them when making decisions in the future. To many people, early childhood education is unnecessary. I realize that going into this teaching field, I will most likely have to interact with adults who will argue that it is useless. There are a lot of thorny issues surrounding the professionalization of early childhood education (“The Challenges of Professionalizing ECE Workforce”). I am prepared to talk to adults about my beliefs and the importance of the program. As I go into this career with the knowledge of this, I will be more prepared on how to handle those who have a different opinion than I
I am a hard-working, confident and conscientious and have a keen desire to be a primary school teacher. The main reason I want to pursue this vocation is because I love the prospect of working with children, being such an important part of a child’s life is a real honour. I have been fascinated at how quickly they learn things, gaining an insight into their perceptions and how they see the world, the idea of playing an active role in helping them develop, greatly appeals me. Having a long term goal of working with children, I believe I am particularly suited to a degree in Primary/Physical education. I gain huge satisfaction from being able to help them learn and discover new things about the world. Nurturing a child’s development is an occupation that offers huge satisfaction, both intellectual and emotional. My ambition is to be in charge of a classroom, to introduce ideas and skills to the class and observe and feel their response. The teacher’s skills of good communication, patience, clarity and the ability to explain the world are very demanding of one’s intelligence and one’s p...
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (2000). Exploring your role: A practitioner’s introduction to early childhood education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Robert-Holmes, G. (2011). It’s the bread and butter of our practice’: experiencing the Early Years Foundation Stage, International Journal, 20(1), pp. 30-42.
There have been many factors that have inspired me to this career choice. Watching my teachers, both past and present, has inspired me to become a teacher. I have a genuine interest in lifelong learning and as such I have the desire to not only instil knowledge and values to others, but also encourage them to share my passion for learning. Social Justice and leadership roles at school, along with my extra-curricular involvement with Cowra Youth Council, have highlighted my ability to work with and for the benefit of young people. In essence I know that my abilities and aspirations will make me a good teacher.