Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
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 of multiple interacting
influences on childrens development and create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and
challenging for each child. (NAEYC, 2010)

Brief Description of Evidence:
During the fall semester of 2014, in accordance with the objectives of ECED 120, Child Growth and
Development Course, I had the opportunity to compile a self-study of Ericksons eight stages of life. This
assignment is a personal research and reflection autobiography that examines my own experiences in relation
to Ericksons theory of psychosocial development.
Analysis of What I Learned:
Through the completion of this study, I was able to reflect on my personal experiences and evaluate
how certain circumstances and/ or environment contributed to my own growth, development, and learning
processes. If a child is unable to build trust with adults and caregivers, it may impact them to be less likely to
develop positive relationships later in life. Children are naturally social beings and it so important to keep in
mind the impact early childhood education has on their social-emotional development. There are several
opportunities for children in the early years of growth and development to engage is social play. During these
early years children show initiative in imaginative play, enthusiastic conversations, building relationships,
practice emerging skills without restriction, and learn to become self-motivated life-long learners.
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:
This assignment has prepared me to understand and embrace these social-emotional stages that each
child will encounter. Each individual child will encounter all stages of development but may have different
outcomes, characteristics, and needs. With my understanding of child development and Eriksons stages, I can
better prepare my learning environment to be sensitive to the multiple interacting influences on childrens
development by providing a variety of activities and opportunities which embrace the various differences I
encounter in my classroom including; socio-economic status, family scenarios, culture, and abilities.