CHD 298 - Seminar and Portfolio

Assignment - Educational Philosophy

April 22, 2016

Instructor - Ann Marie Lanius

Submitted By - Sandra Myers

Date -

Ive come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the

classroom. Its my personal approach that creates the climate. Its my daily
mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power
to make a childs life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an
instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is my
response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and
a child humanized or dehumanized.
Haim G. Ginott
My Philosophy of Education centers on respect for the child as a complete
autonomous individual regardless of any diverse or unique need. Over the years I
have come to understand and learn that education of young children should not
look like it did when I was young, and that was primarily children learn when
teachers speak, rather than teachers facilitating and observing the play of children
by using developmentally appropriate practices.
I believe my job as an early childhood educator is to appropriately provide all
children a nurturing, socially, cognitively, emotionally, and physically safe
environment; this I believe is significant in a childs early development. I believe
young children learn by repetition of daily routines. I think consistency of knowing
what to expect throughout the day help children develop a sense of trust and
understanding of their environment, but they must also have clear and positive
verbal communication.
I believe a childs work should be play, Oliver Wendell Holmes once stated you
dont forget to play because you grow old, you grow old because you forgot to
play.
I believe in a cognitive base philosophy in which young children learn through active
exploration in an environment that is rich in materials and opportunities to socialize,
play, negotiate with others, and teachers encourage curiosity, exploration and
problem solving. An environment that is warm, affectionate and respectful to each
child. I also believe Montessori Philosophy that children have a natural desire to
learn and when they are placed in an enriched environment they learn quickly and
easily through hands on experience. I believe Waldorf Philosophy that supports the
development of free thinking, self-directed play, warm, and colorful classrooms filled
with natures beauty. A place where children can let their imaginations roam while
feeling reassured, protected and play is the heart of the early childhood program.
I believe all early education setting should promote good health, and nutrition. I
believe as early childhood educators we should provide opportunities to involve
families in their childrens learning and development. I believe we should recognize
all family cultures, beliefs, and values and celebrate the diversity of these cultures
by celebrating the differences in children.

I believe my role as an early childhood educator is to help children express the best
part of themselves and uncover what is special about them, to encourage children
to make decisions while learning and to understand how their decisions affects
others.
I believe as an early childhood educator the words of the great Walt Disney who
stated The greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.