Standard Statement 4

Standard 4. USING DEVELOPMENTALLY EFFECTIVE APPROACHES

4a: Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their
work with young children
4b: Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education, including
appropriate uses of technology
4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching /learning approaches
4d: Reflecting on own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child

Knowledge and Competence:

My understanding of promoting child development and learning is that an educator understands
positive relationships and supportive interactions with not only the children in their classroom
but with the childrens families as well. I also understand that this standard is about doing a
daily reflection and self-check to make sure that my practices are promoting a positive outcome
for every child.

Application:
I apply what I know by including the families in classroom activities. I do this by creating a warm
and caring environment that is welcoming to families. I also do this by maintain daily
communication with each childs family by emails, newsletters, daily journals or phone calls. I
also apply this standard in the classroom by doing self-checks to make sure that I am creating a
learning environment that is promoting developmentally appropriate teaching and learning
approaches. If I do not feel as though what I am doing is successful then I shift gears and take
the approach into another direction.

Growth over time:

I have changed in my understanding of promoting child development and learning with the help
from the Family Dynamics and community class that I have taken. Through this class I have
learned the importance of not only being relational with the children but also with their families
as well. I have realized the importance of family involvement and this has created a new motto
in my teaching which is I may only teach them for a year, but their family teaches them for a
lifetime. If I really want to make a difference than I must also become relational with the family.

Future Goals:
I hope to grow and improve in this standard by expanding my knowledge on activities then can
include family involvement. I will also be a part of celebrating the family by creating parent
meetings, parents night out events, inviting parents into the classroom to volunteer and creating
family fun events in the classroom. One thing that I would really love to do in the future is create
a community garden where the families will be invited to come in and do planting in a specific
spot with their child. The families can then volunteer time to help tend the garden and the
children can oversee the watering and weeding of the garden.