Philosophy statement

Jody’s Philosophy Statement My beliefs about early childhood education has been based upon my life experience as a babysitter and working in a childcare setting starting with high school learning center. From these experiences, had a great impact on how I would become the educator that I am today. I believe that children need to learn in a supportive, loving, caring and positive environment for the children in my care. That each child is an individual with needs and a unique person with like and dislikes. They bring something special to the classroom and make the learning experience fun not only for them but from what I learn from them. My purpose in the childcare was to support, nurture, and enhance the learning environment for the children in my care and their families. The child care program should support, serve and help families when they need it so they can support their children in their learning. I want to make sure that I know where the children are coming from and what their culture and the beliefs of the families of my children. I have been influenced by Eric Erickson’s theory on how children develop in stages. From his theories, I can see where the child is developmentally and how their learning is progressing in the classroom. I can make sure that the children’s needs are met, that they can move from one stage to another in their life. With this information, I can build the curriculum to support their development and their needs in the classroom. A high quality Infant/toddler program must provide a safe, healthy, nurturing environment that can promote a positivity supportive program for very young children. The young children can learn to gain skills from the environment such as cognitive development, social and emotional, and physical skills. I believe that infant and Toddler is born with an innate ability to learn and explore their world by using their senses. I believe this can happen by working in a child centered and nurturing environment that is developmentally appropriate for the children in my care. By learning what the children are interested in from their play in the classroom, I can build an environment where the children can learn about their world with the guidance and support from me the teacher in the classroom. I believe that I have to take into account the children’s temperament and disposition so I can see what the children need from me in the learning environment. I would have to say that Becky Bailey has influenced my learning in that I have to take the time to see the whole picture with the children in my care. That by stepping back and see what the child is feeling to find away to teacher the child how to work with their feelings and make their own choices. I want to build the foundation of their independence and to learn to do things for themselves. I would have to say that my long term goals for being a great Infant and Toddler teacher is to become a better teacher with my education. I want o make sure that the children in my care are getting their needs met and I can make sure they are on track with their development. I have a toddler, which I have in the classroom that has been my inspiration for wanting to do more. The child is 2 years old and very smart. She was a head of her peers and was very eager to be potty trained and out of diapers. She had a very big vocabulary but socially and emotionally, still a two year old. I have been working to show her that she can do things for herself and that she didn’t need to depend on me all the time. That she can do things for herself. I want to be able to talk to the parents about what their children and how they can support their learning at home. I want to be the teacher that inspire children and leave a lasting impression on the children that leave my classroom. Jody DiBartolomeo