Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 3. OBSERVING, DOCUMENTING, AND ASSESSING TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that child observation, documentation,
and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. They know
about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic
observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership
with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development of every child. (NAEYC, 2010)

Brief Description of Evidence:

During my summer semester of 2011 in my ECED 235 Preschool Practicum course, I conducted a child
case study. During this assignment I had to get permission from the childs parents, produce a photo consent
form and have the childs parents sign it. I observed the child in play, produced activities to help better the
childs individualized way of learning, and recorded the childs progress.

Analysis of What I Learned:

While doing this assignment I learned how to assess a child and how to better understand how each
child learns a different way and may develop at a different pace. I also learned that observation is the best and
easiest tool to use to better understand each individualized child at any given time in the day. The case study
also opened up more communication between the parents of the child and I, which helped me better
understand the home life of the child.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

I believe the child case study matches Lev Vygostskys theory. Vygotsky, a psychologist, believed that
children learn actively and through hands-on experiences. His sociocultural theory also suggested that
parents, caregivers, peers and the culture at large were responsible for the development of higher order
functions. I now better understand from observation and communication with parents that young children
learn better with hands-on experiences and that communication with parents can play a big role in a better
education for children. It is important to asses children to better understand the way each individual child
learns. When you asses a child it is easier for teachers to come up with the best possible learning techniques
to use in the class room. When you asses children it is important to also partner with their families that what
way you can better understand their home life as well as keep the parents or gardens involved.