Philosophy of Teaching

It is known that no two children are the same, even twins. Each child has his own unique character. Children have different developmental levels, they come from different families and each one has his/her own beliefs and culture. As an early childhood educator, I believe that my role is to understand each one of them and provide them with the suitable instruction, assessment, and curriculum according to their needs. Also, as educators, we should set up a high-quality classroom environment where the child can grow, learn and explore at his or her own developmental level. In this paper, I will be talking about the goals of teaching and ways to accomplish them. My philosophy will include the kinds of teaching styles I feel are the best.

As educators, we should give children opportunities to explore and learn by themselves through creating children- centered classrooms. I believe that as an E.C.E my goal is to promote the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child. I also believe that play should be the base of learning since children learn best by doing. Using developmentally appropriate practice approach, which means that activities should be appropriate for each child and relevant to the child’s ability, needs, and interests, teachers can ignite the love of learning in their students. And because children are the product of their environments, we, teachers, should cooperate with the child’s family and respect the child’s culture.

 For me, the best way to teach a child is to guide him/her in a positive manner. A young child spends most of his/her day at school, because of that, guiding the child on the right path is very important since guidance is needed to help the child take appropriate decisions. In addition to that, having a variety of cooperative learning, peer learning and self- learning is a very effective way to help children being independent autonomic learners. Based on the “Introduction to Special Education” course, I learned that we should encourage inclusion and work for it, where every child is seen as equal; Educators should treat each child as independent individuals and respect them regardless of their special cases. Having clear classroom management techniques and rules is very important to maintain the class’s pace and arrangement because it gives the students the responsibility for their actions.

 There are many curriculums set out that are used to build the foundations of young children. I personally believe that a combination of all or a bit of each curriculum should emerge together since each has their own ways of teaching strategies that apply to educate a child. I like the High Scope approach where play is emphasized since children learn best through play and doing. Another curriculum that I really support many of its parts is the Montessori curriculum where the children teach themselves; it teaches children to be independent and uses their inner instincts to learn about the world around them. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act) have contributed a lot to apply the idea of inclusion using IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans), FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education and LRE (Least Restrictive Environments) in our schools. Using EBP (Evidence-Based Practices), educators can succeed in

In conclusion, I believe that as an early childhood educator, my attitude toward the students is much more important than the curriculum. It is how I see the child that will lead me to become a better educator focusing on all of the domains in children’s lives. Being a guide for the child to learn right from wrong and build a positive foundation of learning. As well as being a positive role model for children by resolving conflicts in an appropriate manner. Carl Jung said, “An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.  The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”