Professional Philosophy 

Learn about my views in the field, my experiences and my connections from theory to practice. 

Views of the Child

I view children as intelligent, capable individuals whose voices and ideas deserve to be valued and when they’re provided the time, space and freedom to learn something, they can definitely do it! Children are always learning and taking in information and it’s never too early to begin teaching them.

One of the first things a child learns is to recognize their own name and then others around them. They are always observing and willing to learn new things. When this curiosity and willingness to learn is fostered with enough time, effort and care, children can have a healthy and strong development.

As early childhood professionals we must make sure we are constantly developing and learning new ways to teach children. It is also the professional's responsibility to observe the children and interact with them to learn what their interests are and then be able to provide them learning and growth opportunities that fit them best as a group, and individually.

Experiences

I’ve had a lot of experience learning and working with children. One of my first experiences was babysitting my younger brother where I would spend the afternoons with him. Together we played with his toys, having car races or dinosaur fights, and I really got to see how much children learn in play.

One thing I noticed was how he would apply what he knew about the world around him, into his play. When we played with dinosaurs he would explain that the bigger dinosaur is mommy and the smaller one is baby. He would pretend the dinosaurs could fly, or that in the bath, they were in a swimming pool. Through this play he was able to use his imagination and view “regular objects” as something else.

I was able to see how children learn to interact and be creative with the world through play and how children express what they know and understand of the world around them in play. Learning from this experience really set the foundation for my skills in this area, and has allowed me to observe first-hand the impact and importance of play in a child’s development and early learning.

Knowledge

Through the theories and knowledge I’ve gained in the ECS program, I’ve learnt that there are many factors influencing a child's development. One key perspective that explains this is the Social Learning Theory. 

Through the Social Learning Theory we see that a child’s environment plays a significant role in development. “Children learn what they live” (D. Nolte, n.d.). This means children often imitate the behaviours and actions they observe, and through these observations they form their understanding of what "normal behaviour" is. A child's surroundings, including how they are raised and who they interact with, greatly influence their cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional development.

 In addition, the Funds of Knowledge (FoK) concept recognizes that every child has valuable knowledge, skills, and experiences from their home, community and culture. These lived experiences should be seen as strengths rather than deficits. In the classroom environment children may bring new communication styles, problem-solving strategies, or cultural practices learned at home into the classroom, and through social learning, other children observe, interact with, and learn from these experiences. This highlights how children are not only influenced by their environment but also contribute to the learning of others through the knowledge they bring.

As educators we hold a huge role in recognizing and fostering this way of learning. By valuing each child’s unique background and building on their strengths, educators can create more meaningful and inclusive learning experiences that support development in positive and empowering ways.

Implementation 

I plan to implement my philosophy in my professional practice by staying true to what I believe. There are many factors in a child's life that support healthy development; however, I recognize there are certain challenges that may impact this process. This may include mental or physical health concerns, as well as social determinants of health. With this understanding, I am committed to putting my best effort into supporting every child in my care as I respond to their individual needs. I will also recognize and value each child’s role and their strengths by acknowledging skills, experiences, and cultural understandings while using these as a foundation for learning in our classroom.

As I continue to learn and deepen my understanding, I am dedicated to caring for and valuing each child for who they are. When in the workplace, I will actively reflect and put aside personal biases, opinions, or feelings that are unrelated to the children to ensure I can always give them my best, because that is what every child deserves!