Reflective Analysis of Portfolio Artifact Rationale/Reflection NAEYC Standard:

STANDARD 3. OBSERVING, DOCUMENTING, AND ASSESSING TO SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. They know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development of every child. (NAEYC, 2011)

Brief Description of Evidence:

During my ECED 120 class I successfully observed, documented, and assessed a five year old on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional level for this assignment. The case study required me to observe the child in the classroom during different activities that were being done. I was able to interact with the family to receive permission for this case study and be able to assess the child in a more comfortable environment to help with a positive influence for development. They were interested in seeing how my observations and documentation could benefit the growth of their child throughout her grade school career.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through completion of this case study I was able to use my knowledge of assessing and observing a child in the school setting to see where she benefited and needed more assistance for the future. Being able to observe, document, and assess this child allowed me to have a better understanding of how children interact, grow, and learn. Being able to have the knowledge and experience of being able to assess this child will allow me to use that knowledge in my classroom to assess other students. Being able to assess the child allowed me to set goals for her, allowed me to have a better curriculum for my classroom and allowed me to have better strategies for other child in the future.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

This case study is just one of many projects in which I was able to work in an elementary classroom to assess, document and observe a child to see how she was at the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional level for her age. By interacting with her family allowed me to have a teacherparent relationship to help influence the development of the child. This case study has given me the professional experience, research benefits, goals and teaching strategies to assist each child in the classroom. With each child learning differently, doing this case study has given me the knowledge I need to be a better educator to asses each child that will be in my classroom.