Personal Philosophy
Children
I believe that every child is a unique individual that has the right to learn and have
their needs met whilst being treated with kindness and respect. I also believe that
each child comes to the classroom with their own set of knowledge that is valid,
important and to be respected. I think that providing a safe and supportive
environment is a fundamental component for children to develop secure and trusting
relationships with myself, fellow educators and their peers. I believe that an
environment most conductive to effective learning in the early years is a play-based,
hands-on environment that enriches learning, allows access to resources, empowers,
supports and scaffolds their development. I recognise that all children are different
and learn in a multiple of ways, therefore the importance of catering for a variety of
diverse learning styles is essential to ensure all children’s learning needs are being
met.
Families and community
I believe children need to feel a sense of belonging and have a connection with their
local communities. It is important that they know what is happening around them and
become involved citizens, while simultaneously learning the practices and values that
are respected within the community. I believe it is imperative that caring,
confidential, open and trusting relationships are formed with parents and families by
making them feel welcome. Rich and dynamic learning can come from collaborative
relationships between the child’s family, community and educators. Therefore by,
recognising that children come from families of diverse cultures and traditions, I will
be considering their expectations and interests and including it into my program. This
creates a holistic approach to each child’s learning and development. I believe in an
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Personal Philosophy
open-door policy where every parent/caregiver feels comfortable to communicate
and become involved.
Environment
The environment is a major influence on a child’s learning and development. A
child’s environment needs to be safe, stimulating and enjoyable, while nurturing
positive relationships with other children, families and educators. My goal is to
create a learning environment that provides quality education, while improving the
lives and identities of the children and their families. I believe in a natural
environment, that teaches children about sustainability, healthy life choices, and
providing opportunity for family involvement. Involving children and families to
create a sustainable and natural environment is imperative to the centre and
community, as the outdoor environment is just as important as in the indoor. The
environment should provide children with as many experiences as possible and cover
the eight domains of development: physical, personal, moral, cognitive, creative,
language, emotional and social.
Educational Program
The curriculum should connect children to their everyday lives, be meaningful and
fill a child with knowledge and practical lessons. Therefore, it is important for the
Early Years Learning Frame work to aid and support my practices. I believe in a
play-based program, as it provides each child an opportunity to form relationships,
develop social and emotional skills, promotes self-confidence as well as adding an
element of risk, creation and exploration. I also believe that integrating the Kathy
Walker approach into the program will have positive results for the children, as not
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Personal Philosophy
only does it focus on the children’s interests, but it also allows for investigation,
discovery and reflection of learning in a fun and engaging way. In incorporating play
and investigation will provide a positive and challenging learning and teaching
environment, where all children become confident and involved learners.
Diversity and Inclusion
All children’s backgrounds, including their cultures, traditions and heritage should be
valued and embraced within the centre. My aim is to encourage families to teach the
class about their specific language, lifestyles and history; whether by telling stories,
singing songs or hands-on learning. I will promote an awareness of different cultures,
beliefs and values through open communication with parents/caregivers. I will
encourage the children to respect each other through positive social interactions and
learning. I believe in a non-judgemental environment, where everyone experiences
equanimity and has a sense of belonging, creating an environment where everyone is
free to learn and participate in.
Other
Education is a life-long process that is a valuable aspect of modern-day living. My
goal is to continue my own personal learning and self-development. I aim to provide
high quality education and care to the children and families I work with, that is
deeply enriched in self-reflection and effective communication – an integral feature
of an educator’s career.
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