Developmental Domains
The two developmental domains that I have the strongest foundation in are the affective and cognitive domains.
The affective domain is critical for learning and has three subcomponents: emotional development, social development, and moral development. This domain deals with attitudes, motivation, willingness to participate, valuing what is being learned, and ultimately incorporating the values of a discipline into a way of life (Vinson). The affective domain is crucial for children ages 6-8 that are beginning school for the first time. It is my job as a teacher to support and build play and social interaction as well as protecting my students to make sure their adventures don't become dangerous or harmful to oneself or others.
The cognitive domain has to do with the psychological development of the mind. The cognitive domain includes intelligence, cognitive development, and language development. Language and literacy are important aspects of the cognitive domain. Other aspects of the cognitive domain include mathematics, thinking skills, and problem solving. It is my job as a teacher to teach the foundation of cognitive materials to my students as well as encourage them to develop psychologically on their own.
My internship experience will strengthen my understanding developments because I will be able to witness them first hand in my students. I will observe my students cognitive domain and development of their mind when I teach subject material.
The affective domain is critical for learning and has three subcomponents: emotional development, social development, and moral development. This domain deals with attitudes, motivation, willingness to participate, valuing what is being learned, and ultimately incorporating the values of a discipline into a way of life (Vinson). The affective domain is crucial for children ages 6-8 that are beginning school for the first time. It is my job as a teacher to support and build play and social interaction as well as protecting my students to make sure their adventures don't become dangerous or harmful to oneself or others.
The cognitive domain has to do with the psychological development of the mind. The cognitive domain includes intelligence, cognitive development, and language development. Language and literacy are important aspects of the cognitive domain. Other aspects of the cognitive domain include mathematics, thinking skills, and problem solving. It is my job as a teacher to teach the foundation of cognitive materials to my students as well as encourage them to develop psychologically on their own.
My internship experience will strengthen my understanding developments because I will be able to witness them first hand in my students. I will observe my students cognitive domain and development of their mind when I teach subject material.
Home-School Partnerships
Parental involvement is key to children's success academically. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more (Editorial Projects, 2004). It is the role of the teacher to setup home-school partnerships. This includes varying techniques such as parent-teacher conferences, parent volunteers/class parents, and homework involving parental guidance. The internship would provide me the opportunity to work with parents directly and deal with that aspect of teaching. I would be able to strengthen my skills in that aspect of learning.
Trends/Issues
Childhood obesity has become a huge epidemic in the United States. In the past 40 years, childhood overweight and obesity have quadrupled, with African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans the most affected groups (Estes & Krogh, 2012). Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States - triple the rate from just one generation ago (NAEC, 2014). There are many factors in childhood obesity such as poor diet and nutrition and lack of physical fitness. Technology and the media are also factors. With the new age of technology children tend to play video games, watch TV, or go on the computer or cell phones rather than play outside where the need for physical activity is met. In addition, the media portrays unhealthy food choices on TV. Instead of eating an apple for snack children eat a bowl of Apple Jacks, thinking that it is just as healthy as an apple when in reality is just sugar and processed GMO food. Obesity will only rise in young children if parents and their supervisors don’t play an active role in stopping it.
This internship will strengthen my understanding of childhood obesity. I will be able to play an active role in eliminating the epidemic by monitoring what my students consume under my supervision. I will also be able to provide physical activities for my students where they will stay active and healthy.
This internship will strengthen my understanding of childhood obesity. I will be able to play an active role in eliminating the epidemic by monitoring what my students consume under my supervision. I will also be able to provide physical activities for my students where they will stay active and healthy.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association for the Education of Young Children upholds to several core values. Four of these core values are listed: Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family, Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague), Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues, Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect. Throughout my internship I will uphold to these core values. I understand that family is the most important thing. Children learn first from their families. To support the family in my classroom I would love parent volunteers to be active in the classroom, monthly parent teacher meetings/conferences, and homework for the child that involves parental involvement. Each child learns in different ways and in different places. In order to be an effective teacher I will assess each of my students and construct their learning plans individually. I won't teach as a whole to the whole class when students are at different places. Instead I will help each child where they need to be met. Diversity is a beautiful thing that should be cherished and celebrated in the classroom. I will welcome diversity in my classroom and celebrate it with the class. I would love students to do projects that embrace their culture and share it with the class. In addition I will teach on different diversities and honor cultural holidays. In order to be an effective teacher I must gain the respect and trust of my students. They need to know that they can come to me with anything and that I am their for them. I will always have my doors open.
