Competency Standard #4 - Using Developmentally Effective Approaches

As an Early Childhood Educator I understand that standard number four is important because it
supports positive interactions with children, and promotes building communication skills. The
use of developmentally effective approaches helps us in using strategies to foster and encourage
initiative and curiosity, and strategies to help children develop cooperation, and engage in a
variety of learning experiences. This standard helps teachers understand that early experiences
have profound effects on development and learning, and that age is a significant predictor of a
childs characteristics, abilities, and understanding. This standard implies that as teachers we
should create learning environments that young children can explore and interact with the
environment mentally and physically, learning language and having sensory experiences in
aesthetically pleasing rooms with space, and a variety of materials.
The artifact Im using is from CHD 205 - Guiding Behavior of Children. I developed a 31- card
index of guidance behavior management tips for parents that uses developmentally effective
approaches and strategies. These cards are used for resources to gather information and ideas for
classroom and home management. They can be used for problem solving problems encountered
in play, and they can be used to engage children to help them focus on activities that interest
them. They are also used as guidance information and resource cards that covers parent-child
interactions, preschool activities and tips on building self-esteem in young children. This
assignment allowed me as an early childhood educator to utilize the standards intent of
developmentally effective approaches by providing a support resource that offered parents and
families helpful information and knowledge about their childrens typical developmental
characteristics, and help them creatively plan strategies to cope, or prevent behaviors that may be
troublesome.
Standard number four represents knowing about children and how they develop. Knowing a
childs developmental characteristics helps me as an early childhood educator plan curriculum,
and activities for their age and understand that certain behaviors are typical. The activities that I
prepare for young children helps me determine how their learning patterns develop and provoke
questions such as: do they interact with their environment, do they have problem solving/critical
thinking skills, and have they develop language skills. As an early childhood educator it is
important for me to know the childs personality, learning style, likes and dislikes, and
competence level in order for me to respond to their individual needs and abilities. It is also
important as an educator to know about the beliefs, values, and customs of the childs family and
community because as an educator and as a program we should respect families and value their
cultural heritages.