STANDARD 1.

PROMOTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs are grounded in a child development knowledge base. They use their understanding of young childrens characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on childrens development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child (National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2011). Brief Description of Evidence: While working at Gateway Association in the two year old classroom, I use the Ages and Stages Questionnaires every four months to evaluate the development of every child in my classroom. My experience in ECED 243 using Piagets Cognitive Development theory to assess childrens development gave me the knowledge base to understand the Ages and Stages Questionnaires. A copy of the questionnaire is sent home with the families. This document is used as an assessment tool to help in completing an overall evaluation of every childs development for parent teacher conferences. Analysis of What I Learned: In completing these questionnaires I have learned the importance of being informed on each childs individual learning style. This helps me to provide a healthy and respectful environment that is supportive to each childs individual needs. I am able to provide multiple interactions throughout the day that are challenging for each child and help with their development and learning. How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard: Every four months I use the Ages and Stages material to help me assess each childs development before having parent teacher conferences at work. I am grounded in the child development knowledge base and understand each young childs characteristics and needs by completing the assessments then meeting with parents to discuss their wants and concerns. I assess each individual child to insure that I am creating activities that are challenging and supportive to their development. Then I apply all this information to develop my lesson plans and environments.