Section 2: Importance of Early Learning

Explain the important role that high quality care can have on a childs overall growth and development.
Identify two key theories of child development (e.g., Gardner, Vygotsky, Piaget, Skinner, Bronfenbrenner, etc.) that resonate with you as an early childhood professional.
Describe each theory and its connection to Developmentally Appropriate Practice within the classroom.
Review your Developmental Theory: Your Toolbox discussion post from Week 2 to help you complete this section

Discuss at least one way in which you differentiate learning experiences based on typical development, atypical development, and culture.
Review your Typical or Atypical Development? discussion post from Week 1 to help you complete this section.

Section 3: Environment

Include a picture of the layout of your ideal classroom. Describe how your room design reflects the way you believe children learn best.
Using the description from your Developmentally Appropriate Practice: The Key discussion in Week 2, create a classroom layout using the Classroom Architect (Links to an external site.) or  Gliffy  (Links to an external site.)website.
Explain how your learning environment (for your chosen age range) nurtures the development of every child in each of the domains listed below.
Cognitive

Describe the specific classroom practices or strategies that reflect your philosophy of how to support young childrens cognitive development.
Social/emotional

Describe at least one of the ways you support the development of childrens positive self-concept and growing social/emotional skills.
Reflect on your philosophy of guiding young childrens positive behaviors. How do you constructively deal with young childrens challenging behaviors?
Language

Describe ways to promote the communication/language development of all children, including dual language learners.
Physical

Describe your specific classroom practices or strategies that reflect your philosophy of how to support young childrens physical development.
Section 4: Families

Describe the important role that families have on the overall growth and development of children and why you value them in your classroom.
Review your Conversations With Families discussion post from Week 4 to help you complete this section.
Describe ways in which you ensure that families are kept aware of whats happening in their childs daily/weekly life in your classroom.
Review your Family Interest discussion post from Week 4 to help you complete this section.
Explain how you ensure that you are aware of whats happening in each childs home life. Tell how that awareness directs your teaching practices.
Complete a resource page for families that includes the following resources in your local area:
The name and contact information (phone number, website, etc.) of a local agency that provides family counseling.
The name and contact information (phone number, website, etc.) of a translation service for families whose home language is other than English.
The names, contact information, and brief descriptions of at least two agencies in the community that provide resources and services for children with disabilities.
A list of three or more websites, and brief descriptions of each, that provides current information to help families understand how young children develop and learn.
You can use readings or resources presented throughout this class, or new ones you feel are appropriate.