Philosophy And Purpose Of A Early Childhood Education Education Essay

The goal of the person philosophy is to develop a philosophy statement that will reflect my values, my beliefs and my practices as an Early Childhood Educator. In the current essay I will review understanding of the purpose of an Early Childhood Education, previous placement experiences and previous educational experiences. Then, I will develop a statement that reflects my philosophies as an Early Childhood Educator. The assignment will be composed of two parts 1) the statement itself and 2) the summary. I will use the summary to describe your philosophy to potential employers, parents and other Early Childhood Educators.

PART A: THE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Section 1: Introduction

The purpose for writing this paper is to reflect my philosophy as an Early Childhood Educator. Early Childhood Educator is a teacher that works with young children in a classroom. Early Childhood Educator has to focus on academically, socially, emotionally, and physically preparation of a child and as well, to focus on protecting and caring for the child. Early childhood education is a specialty of Education, which focuses on the age group of under 6 year old, with parents and the involved institutions (such as nursery, kindergarten, preschool), according to in The importance of early childhood education (2007).

Planning of development of the issue of the childhood education will include the areas that I will talk about, such as the approaches, psychological aspects and the process of learning. I can say that I have always had certain philosophies about child care and I have always been thinking about the approaches to apply. I think it is interesting to study the sphere and to find something essential in preparation and in the whole process.

Section 2: The Value of an Early Childhood Education.

As a fact, children should be given the opportunity to experiment, participate and socialize in a high quality environment, which can be described as a value of an Early Childhood Education. This type of environment fosters development through child directed play. It is safe, healthy, nurturing and responsive to children. These conditions can be provided in many types of settings, for example in a home by parents, in a home day care or in a structured child care setting.

Early childhood education (ECD) is the level of education before basic education which is an approach to coaching which is aimed for children till the age of six, conducted through the growth and development of physical and mental readiness for the child to have in entering further education, which was held on formal, non- formal, and informal, according to Why Is Early Childhood Education So Important? (2011). 

Early childhood education is one form of education that focuses on laying the foundation toward the growth and physical development (fine and gross motor coordination), intellect (the intellect, creativity, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence), socio-emotional (attitude and behavior and religious) language and communication, in accordance with the uniqueness and stages of development through which early childhood, according to What is so Important About Early Childhood Education? (2011). 

There are two purpose of the early childhood education, namely: 

The main objective is to establish a quality of Indonesian children, the children grow and develop in accordance with developmental level and thus have optimal readiness in entering primary education and living life in adulthood. Accompanying goal is to help prepare children to reach the readiness to learn (academic) at the school. 

According to the scientific study of early childhood family and its implementation in some countries, early childhood has been conducted since the age of 0-8 years. Scope Early Childhood Education: Infant (0-1 years), Toddler (2-3 years), Preschool / Kindergarten children (3-6 years), and Early Primary School (Primary Class Start) (6-8 years).

Children gain the basic skills in learning the essential topics from Early Childhood Education, which will ensure the success in further studies of a child. The long benefits can result in discipline, in netter performance, in better marks and communication. There are also more chances that children will be more literate and interested in studies if the children get used to study regularly from the very childhood. Children gain communication skills, friends, knowledge, useful information and experience in studying.

Sometimes children’s needs are not met and there is a certain impact on them. Sometimes the expectations are not met and measures should be taken. The studies should definitely be continued and children have to talk about the issues.

Section 3: Theorists and Practitioners Who Have Influenced Me.

In this section I will provide the answers about my own learning experiences, because to a great extent, my personality as a teacher has already been determined by these influences. I will consider positive and negative experiences in my education (courses or placements) that have influenced my ideas about myself and early education. My philosophy will have been influenced by practitioners (people who work in the field) and theorists (people you have learned about). There are some professionals that have greatly influenced my thoughts and vision of the Early Childhood Education.

Section 4: Staff in an Early Childhood Setting.

This section will talk about the people I have seen in the field of an Early Childhood Education. I think that practitioners should have different qualities that will lead to success. Practitioners have to become professionals in their sphere to ensure the perspective studying. Interactions between people are extremely important and children, parents and teachers have to cooperate and communicate on different issues and problems to be able to solve them. Trust is almost obligatory and makes it easier to study.

The teamwork is important to ensure the ability to work together, to perform better, to study better and in harmony. Teamwork at school will help children in their future job, where the teamwork is extremely important. For example, when children can communicate effectively with peers, then they are able to have their own point of view, their thoughts and ideas, which is very important. Being in the teamwork may not be easy because of the different outlooks and visions on the problems and situations.

Section 5: Guidance Theories and Techniques.

This section will determine how I feel considering the handling a situation where behavior guidance is required. I think that the effective methods of behavior guidance will be to use modern techniques, new approaches and means of communication. There are different situations that may occur and I use some types of processes to resolve a situation. Some methods were effective, but some not, and it is essential to use new approaches and implement new ideas in the behavior guidance.

Besides the content of educational science content can be major field of study: 

– Early childhood development, child psychology (developmental psychology); 

– Particular theory and practice of binding approach by John Bowlby; 

– Methods of assessment of child development; 

– Infant and parent-child observation; 

-Legal and institutional framework of education in early childhood; 

– Family issues, dealing with parents; 

– Pre-school education in international comparison; 

– Education and early intervention approaches; 

– Social education (including social learning, development of social relationships); 

– Preschool teaching (cross-representations for learning in the preschool age); 

– To study usually includes shadowing and internships that are completed usually in institutions, according to The importance of early childhood education (2007). 

Research content. According to the course content focuses on the research of: 

– Development of tools for the study of early childhood development and education; 

– Use of these instruments in research; 

– Development of concepts of early intervention; 

– Investigation of transitional situations such as settling into the nursery or school enrollment; 

– International comparative studies. 

Research Centers. For example, in Western Europe, training for educators is the largely task of universities: only in Germany, Austria and Malta was the training organized outside the university. In the light of a new educational and social policy it was focused on early childhood education, the former technical school education for children and youth services in Germany has since been supplemented by one on early childhood education within specialized higher education. In collaboration of several universities there were offered courses for the education, supervision and training in childhood to bachelor’s and master’s level, cross-institutional education and teaching methods for the professionalization of early childhood educators are being developed, according to Why Is Early Childhood Education So Important? (2011).

Possible Career Options. Besides the academic activities in universities and research institutes can be employed early childhood educators, for example, in those institutions with managerial responsibilities or concept development, or provide (expert) advice to these institutions or families. Another possible use of their expertise can be done in the media, dealing with early childhood.

Section 6: Programming.

In this area I will talk about my likes and dislikes of my skills and areas of growth in the program. I enjoy interesting and innovative curriculum, as I think it is important to make changes and to improve the quality and type of education. I think that the most important in the curriculum is to combine the knowledge and experience. It is important to have the balance in the information and in the new possibilities. My process for planning experiences is to determine the most essential aspects and useful information. I can say that I find Early Childhood Education extremely important for the modern people and their future.

Section 7: The chosen area.

I have beliefs that modern children need early childhood education and I think that it is very useful for them. It makes to preparation for school much easier. I feel that I can make a contribution to the process education and benefit children. As well, I have certain concerns about the literacy of children and the direction of interests of the modern children.

Early childhood education focuses on learning through the process of child participation in the game. Concept, “early childhood education,” is usually the only program designed exclusively for the years before children go to school. The researchers in this field and the educators of young children agree that parents play an important role and they can not be separated from the process of education for children in early childhood. 

The first two years of life were given to build “self concept” of the child. This is an important part in the formation of the personality of the child – children see themselves, they behave the certain way, etc, according to Manoj Tiwari (2010). 

From 3 to 8 years old, it is the stage where the importance of education for young children is often underestimated wrongly, what the means of child care are. Many scientific studies have shown that, at this stage education plays an important role in the development of thinking, personality, and have a major impact throughout life. (At age 5, 50% of brain structures are connected to the completion, at the age of 8, this figure is 80%). The other is real, this is one young receptive stage, learning the latest (The brain has the ability to learn in the fastest and easiest ways in the years before and the early years to school). So the researchers have called this period the “window of opportunity” (window of opportunities), but children need to get the attention of education, appropriate care to their full potential in the future, according to What is so Important About Early Childhood Education? (2011). 

The field of early childhood education. There are five main areas in the education of young children and they are closely related:

 Social – is the ability to connect, play with other children, cooperation create relationships with others. 

Physical – an ability to build and develop the muscular system. 

Thinking (Intellectual) – is the process to identify and explore the world around the child. 

Creative – reflects the development of special abilities and talents. The ways to develop creativity are music, art, writing, reading, and singing.

Emotional – is the building on the concept of self, confidence, self-awareness and emotional control. 

There have been conducted surveys with the parents of the program, and most will notice a significant development of children in different areas: the abilities in communication: 83%, leadership skills and problem solving: 81%, language ability: 69% and social skills: 62%. Thus, the benefits of early childhood education not only wrapped up in what they received in the program that affect learning ability and development, thinking, personality, children’s likelihood of success in subsequent years in school and throughout life.

Section 8: Conclusion.

To sum it up, I would like to reflect my philosophy considering educating the children. Early Childhood Educator has to focus on academically, socially, emotionally, and physically preparation of a child and as well, to focus on protecting and caring for the child. Children gain the basic skills in learning the essential topics from Early Childhood Education, which will ensure the success in further studies of a child. Modern world in extremely competitive and challenging, and it is essential to start studying from early childhood in order to ensure the perspective future for a child.