Instruction & Classroom Management

The early childhood years are an influential stage of life that can set a strong foundation of social, emotional, physical, and mental well-being into adulthood. It is crucial that we take advantage of the early years to teach children how to care for themselves, solve problems, connect with others, cultivate their imagination, and have a positive influence on the world around them.

Theory

There are a plethora of approaches related to educating and caring for young children including Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Erikson, Vygotsky, Piaget, and Dewey. These approaches have created a foundation of understanding about how children grow and develop and how best to educate them. My personal philosophy of education takes concepts and ideas from all of these major theorists and transforms them into a unique approach to educating and caring for young children. I strongly believe that a positive relationship, nurturing environment, and sense of belonging are the three key components to creating a quality early childhood program.

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Connection 

​Children are capable of communicating their needs and are naturally curious about the world around them, even as infants. It is our responsibility as educators to learn their unique language and observe how they interact with their environment. This is the first and most important task of an early childhood educator: to listen and observe. Young children have a lot to tell us, but we have to be listening. Once we learn a child’s language and their understanding of the world, we can use this knowledge to support their learning and growth. 

Environment

​Creating a safe, interesting environment is our second responsibility as educators. Children are extremely sensitive to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Providing age-appropriate play-based environments for children to explore with all five of their senses allows them to learn a great deal from their environment. Music is a powerful tool for educators. Music can be used to calm a child, to induce excitement and joy, to teach children a new concept or routine, or to transition from one activity to another. Books are another essential component of a quality early childhood environment. Books teach children new words, ideas, and concepts and allow children to delve deeper into their imagination. The outdoors are a young child's greatest teacher. Exploring the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the natural landscape has a positive impact on a child's understanding of the world around them.

Belonging

Everyone wants to feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves. There is a basic human desire to belong. Creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging takes time and intention; it does not happen overnight. Each moment of compassion, cooperation, and shared experience allows children to develop a sense of belonging. As children are encouraged to learn more about themselves and their peers, they will find that they share many things in common and that they are each different in their own unique ways. Celebration of similarities and differences is an important way for children to feel that they belong. It is only when we understand each other on a deep level that we feel truly seen and heard. 

My Role

As an Early Childhood Educator, I believe my role is to:

-support and guide children’s growth and development through play-based learning 

-create inclusive, inspiring, and developmentally appropriate learning environments

-provoke children’s thinking through curiosity and open-ended questions

-demonstrate children’s progress through observation and documentation

-create meaningful connections with young children, families, and the larger community