NAEYC Competency Standard 1

NAEYC standard number 1 states that early childhood educators should have a basic understanding of how young children develop. As an early childhood educator it is important to know what tools children need to learn and how to create an environment that fosters this development. It is also important for me as an early childhood educator to understand how children learn and develop across all domains according to early childhood theories. In many of my CHD classes I have learned about how young children develop and have created a classroom that provides an environment for learning. I have learned that within my classroom I should integrate learning materials into all learning centers because children learn though play. When in the classroom, I also learned how to create activities that allow young children to learn using multiple learning styles. In CHD145 Teaching Art Music and Movement to children, I learned how to increase the development of fine motor skills through art and gross motor skills through music and movement. I learned that all children are different and develop at different rates, I have learned that when creating lesson plans and organizing my classroom, it is important to provide an environment that fosters learning for all stages of development. I have learned that understanding the development of children and providing activities that foster that learning are essential for an early childhood classroom In CHD 146 Math, Science and Social Studies for children, when developing a pre-k lesson, I used the kindergarten SOL that outlined the developmental milestone of young children understanding their senses. I learned that my knowledge of physical and cognitive development of young children was necessary to develop a lesson that allowed them to meet the standard. To understand child development, it is important to know the stages of development as described by early childhood theorists such as Piaget and Erikson. In CHD265 Advanced Observation and Participation, I completed an assignment that required me to observe three children in Piagets first three stages of development. After completing this assignment I learned how to identify Piagets stage of development of the children in my class. In many of my classes I have studied the teachings of early childhood theorists but with this assignment I learned how to apply the theories I have learned to the children in my own classroom. As an early childhood educator, knowledge of how young children development is the key to being a great teacher. I have learned on how to create an environment for learning that caters to each childs developmental stage. I have learned how to apply the teachings of early childhood theorists to how children learn. This ensures that my students are learning and helps me to gain a greater understanding of the developmental stages of my students. I have learned how children develop which has allowed me create a classroom that teaches the whole child.