EDU119- 12/09/2010 My Developing Philosophy of Education

1. I believe the purposes of education are . . . One of the reasons I think education is important is because children and adults can gain an understanding of things, and form their own conclusion as well as their own beliefs without just having to believe what someone else tells them is the truth. Martin Luther wanted people to learn to read so that they could read the bible and interpret the way they saw fit. The purpose of educating teachers throughout their career is important, because the field of education is discovering new things about children. hen we as teachers continue to learn the new things that have been discovered we can implement those things in our classrooms to make them better. The second reason I believe education is important is because we have so many cultures in the !" that if we are to have children turn into adults that have respect for the other cultures we need to educate them. This is why curriculum that is multicultural based is so important. On page #$% of &arly 'hildhood &ducation, it point out that one of naeyc(s standards are that children have a learning environment that is )healthy, respectful, and challenging for all children.* If we do not teach children about other cultures, than we do not have an environment where children have respect. This environment is not proper for an appropriate learning environment. )The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the ne+t.* ,braham Lincoln. The way we teach and what we teach influences how the children view the world. In turn the way they view the world affects the way they will run the government. &ducation is important because when we properly educate children using all four domains children become well rounded individuals that have the ability to create, communicate properly and grow to be strong adults.

2. I believe that children learn best when they are taught under certain conditions and in certain ways. Some of these are . . . I believe that children learn best when they are allowed to work with a variety of open ended materials. This gives the child the opportunity to e+plore all the possibilities and function that any one particular object has. They get to use their creativity to e+plore and manipulate the materials. 'hildren learn best when they are challenged. -ou do not want to challenge them too much, but have something that is an attainable goal for them to reach. If we as humans are not given something of challenge we do not grow and learn. 'hildren learn best when the environment is child centered. .osting pictures of the children around the classroom involved in different activities, as well as having things available to the children that they are showing interest in will ensure the child will have the desire to learn.

hen we try to teach children things that do not pertain to them, or that are not of interest to the child than we lose their focus in the classroom. ,nother way children learn best is by play. hen children get the opportunity to pick the center that they want to go to, when they get to play they learn. )Learn by play.* hen children play out scenarios, in the /ramatic play area, such as taking care of baby, firefighter or vet they are learning new things.

3. The curriculum all of the activities and experiences of my classroom should include certain basics that contribute to children s social! emotional! intellectual and physical development. These basics include . . . "iscuss in detail a minimum of four curriculum )basics* that contribute to children(s social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. 0or each curriculum 1basic,1 you must reference an author2theorist that you have learned about in this course to support the stated curriculum 1basic.1 &verything in our curriculum should touch on the four 3uadrants of learning. If they do not we should change them or not have them in our curriculum. 'hildren learn how to share, communicate and assess things in the social aspect. In the emotional they develop self concepts, and self esteem. ,s well as whom they are and how they feel about who they are as a person. In the physical domain we need to allow children to e+plore their hand eye coordination, gross motor and fine motor skills. In the cognitive2language domain they learn new words as well as new ways of thinking about the world around them. #. $hildren learn best in an environment that promotes learning. %eatures of a good learning environment are . . . ,ccording to 4eggio &milia, )The layout of physical space, in addition to welcoming whoever enters, fosters encounters, communication, and relationships. The arrangement of structures objects, and activities encourage choices, problem solving and discoveries in the process of learning.* 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation6 In rooms that are cluttered and where you have no space to walk around a room makes it harder for children to focus on what they are doing as well as feeling safe to move around the room freely. In an infant room there should be fewer things and more space between the things that are in the room since infants are working on their gross motor skills. In a toddlers room you can place more things and have them be closer together. The 7igh2"cope approach says )The classroom organi8ation of materials and e3uipment supports the daily routine9 children know where to find materials and what materials they can use.* 5Morrison6 7aving a room set up where children can easily find the materials they want to use and materials that are appropriate for them to use helps them to make choices for themselves. This also allows the teachers to be facilitators and observers instead of grabbing down things off the shelves for all the children.

In the book the author states, )'hildren(s products are displayed and valued.* 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation6 hen children walk into the classroom and see their art on the walls they feel that their work is of worth, and supports learning. This works especially well in the primary classroom. Imagine how happy your children or children that you know are when their art work is put on the fridge in the house. If you put it in the classroom and have it displayed even more people get to see their work. 'hildren should be seated in groups of three to si+ children at tables or clustered desks. This is a proper condition for .rimary classrooms. 7aving children sit in small groups like this allow children to have opportunities to sociali8e and work cooperatively. This helps them to learn from each other and grow. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 &. $hildren have certain needs that must be met if they are to grow and learn at their best. Some of these basic needs are . . . 'hildren should be e+posed only to a healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging environment. This will allow the child to be happier, healthier and be more oriented towards achievement. This includes physical and psychological safety, a place where the children feel respected, making their e+periences meaningful. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 'hildren also have the need for nutritious food. The !" has an obesity epidemic that is becoming more rampant each year. "ome children also go without the food they need as well as the correct kind of food. ,s teachers we can encourage breakfast, provide only healthy snacks during our snack time. This includes talking to parents about the food they put in their children(s lunches. e can do that by providing parents with nutrition information. One of the most important ways we can encourage children(s healthy eating behaviors is to be a role model and eat healthy ourselves. 'hildren do not perform as well as they could if they are hungry. .roper nutrition makes it so children are not hungry when they come to class, as well as good nutrition sustains you for longer periods of the day. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 ater is )essential for proper brain functions*. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation6 Our body is mainly water. If we are not properly hydrated it affects the way our brains function, how we feel, our overall health, and the ability to focus. e must keep in mind that the water we provide to the children is clean. If the water has been contaminated then it will possibly affect their health. ,ir is another important basic necessity for children. 'hildren need to be able to go outside, and be e+posed to fresh air as well as the environment that surrounds them. :oing outside helps children relieve stress and get out all the wiggles they may have in them from being inside. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 '. I would meet these needs by . . . I would meet the need for children(s safety by making sure the children where respectful to each other, and play safely together. I would allow children to be challenged so they could grow and learn new things. The way I would meet the need of the children being e+posed to

fresh air is by putting 7&.., air filters in the classroom. ,llowing out of reach windows to be open on nice days and allowing children plenty of time to e+plore the outdoors. To help the child and family be more nutritious, I would have a parent2student2teacher night where the parents and students had the opportunity to learn about nutrition. They would also have an opportunity to try different nutritious foods. "ome families do not get nutritious foods due to the lack of money. I would find healthy in e+pensive alternatives for the families to provide their children. I would also provide those healthy snack alternatives during snack time, and get together with the school administration about implementing a policy of no unhealthy food in lunches. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 To ensure that the children were getting a proper amount of water I would have a drinking fountain, that has been check to make sure the water is clean, in the classroom at a proper height for the children to reach it on their own. I would also have labeled cups on a special shelf for the children to be able to fill with water at the sink or fountain so they have plenty of opportunity to drink the water. I would show a good e+ample by drinking plenty of water in the classroom and not drinking sugary drinks like soda in front of the children. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 (. ) teacher should have certain *ualities and behave in certain ways. +ualities I thin, are important for teaching are . . . , teacher should have the ability to use the understanding of the children characteristics and needs as well as the many interactive influences of the children(s development in his or her classroom to )create a class room that is healthy respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children* 5;,&'-6. This is ;,&-' first standard for early childhood professionals. This is important because the curriculum we have in the classrooms should be child centered. The teacher should have the knowledge and ability to observe, document, and asses. This aids in the support of the child and their family. hen teachers use these methods they can find potential delays early, communicate with the family, and know how they need to possibly change their curriculum and teaching method. Teachers must know and use the ethical standards for early childhood educators. They should be, )an informed advocate for sound education practices and policies.* e are the voice of the children. e need to stand up for what is best for them in the education field. Teachers need to also be anti bias. To become so they need to educate themselves on biases that they may have and how to correct them, as well as learning ways to have a non bias curriculum. If a teacher brings their biases into the classroom, children will learn those biases. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6 5;,&'-6 The main 3uality I believe a teacher should have is love and respect for all children. "he needs to be able to show that through her interactions with the children and the way she speaks to those around her. The children are the main reason we are there. If the teacher does not have love and respect for the children then that person should not be a teacher. 5Morrison, &arly 'hildhood &ducation.6

Works Cited
Morrison, George S. Early Childhood Education. n.d. 353. Morrison, George S. Early Childhood Education. 2009. 103. Morrison, George S. Early Childhood Education. 2009. 44-4 . Morrison, George S. !Early Childhood Education.! 2009. 150. Morrison, George S. !Early Childhood Education.! 2009. 15". Morrison, George S. !Early Childhood Education.! 2009. 125. #$EC%. !you and Early Childhood Education.! Morrison, George s. Early Childhood Education. 2010. 2-3.