Category: Uncategorized

What have I learned throughout this process? 

With this being my last R2P post, I wanted to reflect on the things I learned as well as reflect on my thoughts throughout the entire process. I first, looked back at my previous posts and noticed that some thing changed. I found that I better engaged the audience in my most recent post by adding more photos, links to articles, and stories. I found this aspect hard to accomplish at first as I am so used to formal writing for my other classes. I also learned how to find more reliable sources by using the library database and google scholar. This practice opened my eyes to different ways I can present my ideas and collaborate with other individuals within my field. My overall feelings regarding writing blogs has changed, and I think I will research other ways I can incorporate this type of writing in my personal life.

The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in pre-school Curriculum:

During my time in my Head start classroom this far, I noticed that social-emotional learning is promoted throughout the day. This includes identifying and managing your own feelings and understanding how others feel. As Preschool is a child’s first experience in a learning setting, it is important to build a strong foundation in which children feel confident and eager to learn!

According to Springer.com, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula in preschools may prevent emotional and behavioral issues. If we teach students how to monitor their own emotions, he teaches them to make better choices when reacting to a problem. This could be beneficial in school as children often feel frustrated when it comes to school work or working to achieve a certain skill. So, what not teach them social-emotional strategies at a young age?

How can SEL be Incorporated into your classroom? 

There are many ways to talk to your students about how they can regulate their emotions. Some ways may include using books, a calming corner, and other manipulatives. Approaches to teaching SEL are very wide and open. Specifically, for pre-school, teachers can ask questions such as, “How are you feel?”, “How does that make you feel?”, or “What can you do to feel better?”. In my placement this semester, I hear a lot of those phrases, as well as teachers connecting to their students by saying, “Yeah, sometimes I feel like that too. But its okay because we can take a break.”. In this classroom, there is a calming cube, which is a space where the children can sit in when they are feeling upset or angry. There are also many manipulatives that help them calm down. When they are ready, they go back to the carpet and continue with their learning. Other strategies I have seen, include; yoga, meditation jars, feeling check ins, and fidgets such as stress balls. All of this could easily be incorporated into a daily routine.

Why Preschool?

When we do this routine with young children, it allows them to start to self-regulate. Soon after, they will not have to be reminded to think of how they feel. Students will start to do these things on their own, which will overall prevent the likeliness of an outburst due to frustration. With this skill set, students will also be prepared for future problems.

Conclusion

Social-emotional learning has many benefits that include; gaining better understanding of one self, gaining empathy for peers, and learning to work through problems.  It is also said that student-teacher relationships are bettered. Overall, this concept is easy to incorporate each day and comes with many benefits.

Who teaches me about the Why and the How in the field of early childhood?

The field of early childhood education is not easy. It takes a lot of time and effort, that at times, may not turn out exactly how you want it to. It is important to know these things before you enter each and every classroom environment. It is also important to make close relationships with your peers, professors, and your field placement co-teachers who you can refer to for guidance, advice, or just motivation. Finding someone who keeps you motivated to make a difference in the education system is the most significant as they push you to try new things and go into the field with a certain goal/mindset. The person I look up to and have for a while is John Dewey. His perspective on how children learn best is one I strongly agree with. He believes that children learn by doing, and by participating in hands-on activities. As a STEM minor, I try to incorporate these ideas in to every lesson plan I write as I feel that is how the students will learn the content the best way, while having fun and being engaged.

Who reassures and stretches myself as an early childhood educator? 

Often, I lack confidence or feel uncertain of my capabilities of becoming a great educator. I often search for reassurance and more experiences where I can build my confidence. This is where I look towards my peers or professors for different opportunities or just a casual conversation that may help me look at things in a new and different light.

I definitely believe that the faculty members here working with the early childhood program, allows me to stretch my knowledge as they offer and promote great professional development opportunities.  I have attended many conferences and workshops that left me feeling more capable and confident in my efforts.  The STEM program especially, has opened my eyes to different views of early education and I will forever be grateful for such an amazing group of professors and additional staff who work hard to offer these great programs.

Conclusion

It is important for pre-service teachers to reach out to their peers and their school’s faculty members to gain experience and information within the field.  We should be willing to put  extra time and effort towards our studies in order to be the best teacher we can be for our future students.

 

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