My Educational Philosophy

Jenna Carroll

Celebrated author and early childhood educator Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld was quoted as
saying For children play is as natural as breathing and as necessary. As an early childhood
teacher and professional as well, these words hold deep meaning to me in regards to my own
personal philosophy towards early childhood education.
I believe establishing a young love of learning is essential for the future of our youth. To
do this is it my belief that teachers possess certain attributes to establish this young love of
learning. What makes a great teacher is not only their education but their flexibility, their
patience, their ability to keep trying and never accepting failure as an option.
In regards to my style of teaching, I believe that children learn through play and
everything we can teach in early childhood can be taught through play. Having a background in
fine arts, one of my favorite things to do with young children are art activities. Most of the art
activities I do with children are process art as opposed to product art. I dont believe there is
anything wrong with product art, but I like children to be more involved in the process rather
than concentrating on trying to make it look like something. Having a child enjoy doing an art
piece can hit on so many levels of development and to them its just fun. For instance, coloring
with markers or crayons helps to strengthen and refine fine motor movements, hand eye
coordination, imagination and cognitive development among other things.
Every developmental domain we look at in children can be strengthened during play.
Gross motor skills can be achieved by jumping across hot lava. Independent dressing and care
can be learned by dress up and role playing in the dramatic play area. Math skills can be taught

in the block area by creating patterns with different types of blocks. Anything can be taught to a
child in way they understand and love. This goes along with my belief of teaching an early love
of learning. If we teach childen new things in a way they understand and love they take those
processes and see school and learning as fun.
As teachers we need to be educated on what is developmentally appropriate for certain
ages. It is important that we stay in the zone of proximal development. If we present a child with
something that is too easy, they become bored and these are times where we may see problematic
behavior. If we present a child with something that is too hard, children will often times become
frustrated and other instances of problem behavior can occur. Providing lessons and materials
that are developmentally appropriate for the age and learning level of the children we are
teaching is key to the childrens and teachers success.
In regards to my belief on behavior management, I feel the best way to avoid problem
behaviors is to set up a successful environment. Many behavioral issues can occur during
transitional parts of the day; going from group to snack or getting ready to go outside for
instance. These are the times of the day that can lead to negative behaviors which can be avoided
by using transitions. Having transitional activites for these times is important in preventing the
different types of behavioral problems. Children crave routine and having a set schedule
displayed in the room helps children know what to expect. In my older classrooms I have a
schedule displayed and we follow a routine daily.
Modeling appropriate behavior is also something I believe strongly in. As teachers we are
always being watched by little eyes, and we should always show children how to be kind, safe
and respectful. We should not treat the children in any way we would not like to be treated.
Reinforcing positive behavior is also something I believe strongly in. Reinforcing good behavior

doesnt always have to be a treat or a prize, most children just love the simple recognition of
saying I loved the way you helped your friend clean up those blocks. Children notice when we
recognize them, and often times repeat that behavior because they know we can see them doing
it. I believe simple forms of negative reinforcement are appropriate at times. For instance if a
child is using a toy innapropriately or to hurt a friend and the behavior does not stop with
redirection, then it is appropriate to take the toy from the child for the safety of the classroom. I
believe that time outs are inapporpaitate. I feel they embarrass children and set a negative image
when simple redirection can have the same effect without the negativity surrounding it.
I feel one of the most important things we can do for a child is set up an environment that
supports their learning. Classrooms should not only be aesthetically pleasing but organized and
functional as well. The environment should be inspirational, encouraging a childs creativity. I
also think that natural elements are needed in an early learning environment. Both the Reggio
Approach and the Montessori Method emphasize the use of natural materials in the classroom.
There are many aspects of these teaching styles that I love. Not only do natural materials create a
more visually appealing space, but they serve the purpose of connecting children to nature. We
only have one Earth and its important that children learn an appreciation for it at a young age.
One way I have inspired children to appreciate the Earth is making toys for children to play with
using natural materials, and the children love them. Having loose, natural items in the block area
for instance, gives the children the opportunity to create structures with items freely without a
predisposed defined idea of what they are supposed to be. Giving a child a plastic castle, that has
plastic defined characters makes it hard for them to see these items as anything other than what
they are, limiting their play potential. Giving a child wooden blocks, wooden tiles and glass

beads allows them to take these items and create whatever they want with them and use their
imagination.
Having an organized and accessible classroom is important as well. Not only should
children be able to play, but they need the materials accessible to them. Having low shelving,
labels and defined areas helps keep the classroom organized and safe. It also creates a
responsibility for the children in caring for their classroom and keeping it clean. When the
children know where the toys belong by labeling the shelves, they have the know how and ability
to clean up after themselves creating independence and responsibility. Along with organization
comes well defined areas. There should be areas and materials provided for fine motor skills,
math, science, literacy/reading, quiet space to rest, gross motor skills, dramatic play, music, art
and sensory play. The materials in these areas should coincide with what we are trying to provide
the children. For instance in my dramatic play area could be a kitchen set, dress up clothes,
cooking items, a store front, telephones, cash registers, etc. I also believe that all materials in the
classroom should be rotated and switched out to keep up child interest. As adults we prefer
variety, we wouldnt want to do the same thing everyday and neither does a child. Once again the
environment should support the play and learning of the children.
Several of my philosphies on early education could be intertwined with the Reggio and
Montessori methods. I believe that children are capable of constructing their own learning.
Providing the children with the materials and opportunities they need allows them to explore and
learn through their own trial and error. As a teacher, I am a mentor. The Reggio approach
believes in playing off of the childrens interests, which I whole heartedly support. This approach
however, does not believe in set lessons, or themes. I like to plan activities out for the children
and guide them in some ways however, offering a little more organization for my part in

teaching. Montessori focuses on hands on learning, which I love. As a teacher I dont mind
getting dirty or making a mess.
When I reflect on my philosophy, I like to think of myself and the way I teach as a hybrid
of many methods, focusing on creative expressions like art and fostering a childs best self in any
way that I can. I believe in a caring and responsive approach, and feel that knowing the children
you work with is key before all else. Routine and organization can help to curb problem
behaviors, but when they occur redirection, modeling appropriate behaviors and postive
reinforcment are my go to methods. Above all else my job as a teacher is to promote play, and
with this comes all the learning and knowlegde young children need to acquire at this age. There
will be a lot of time for worksheets and tests in primary school. Early childhood is the time for
children to be just that, children.