NAEYC Standard 1 and Standard 2

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) issues guidelines for early childhood programs inform of standards to help families choose the best care centers for their children, kindergarten or preschool. These standards and criteria form the basis of NAEYC Accreditation system for early childhood programs. Programs must meet all the 10 set standards to earn accreditation.

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This paper reflects the first two standards in my preschool teaching practices.

Relationships Program Standard 1

A sense of worth belonging and individual worth in all children is encouraged through promoting positive relationships among them. This makes children feel part of the community thus fostering their ability to be responsible members of the community. Responsive interactions assist children in acquiring a sense of belonging as well as encouraging them to cooperate and respect others. NAEYC has established that secure and positive relationships help children to thrive physically, coexist with others, and perform well in school.

Curriculum Program Standard

This standard ensures that the program implements a curriculum that attains development in social, emotional, physical, language, and cognition. Programs must be consistent in meeting these goals. The curriculum drawn on research helps teachers to identify concepts and skills as well as methods of delivery to promote children's learning and development. A well-articulated curriculum especially when informed by teachers' knowledge of individual children, guides teachers, and administrators on how to deliver their skills across different developmental areas. Therefore, a curriculum should ensure proper planning of routine schedule that will optimise on learning through appropriate utilization of time, self-initiated learning, and facilities for playing, and providing avenues for constructive interaction allowing children to learn from groups.

To ensure flexibility, NAEYC Accreditation system and NAEYC do not have a prescribed curriculum. Programs are at liberty to create their own or choose one from commercially available curricula that meets guidelines set by NAEYC.

As a preschool teacher, I work with the developmental strengths of each child and strive to ensure children feel accommodated at the school. I help new children to adjust to the new environment away from their homes and help them to make friends, play and work together. There are also teacher-child sessions to evaluate how each child is adjusting to the new environment or how they are getting along with others. This helps to monitor and address cases of bullying among every child.

During meal time, children are offered balanced diets which are in varieties for every child to eat what they like best.

Classrooms are sanitized daily by cleaning to ensure safety at school. Floors are designed per NAEYC guidelines to eliminate injuries as a result of slipping. There are marked evacuation routes in the event of an accident.

Adults and guardians are allowed to interact with their children at school. There is also teacher-guardian meeting to evaluate the progress of children as they adjust to new environments and how they are getting along with others. Families are also allowed to volunteer to participate in events at school like Rodeo Day, Snow Day, or Fairy Tale Character Parade. During this time, positive relationships are built among participants.

There are schedules to develop both fine and gross motor skills. Excellent motor skills are developed through writing, cutting and drawing while gross motor skills are developed through dances and indoor exercises.

These activities are meant to provide children with better at reasoning, using language, interacting with others among other skills.

References

Council for Professional Recognition. (2011). The Child Development Associate Assessment System and Competency Standards. Washington, DC.

NAEYC. (2009). Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation. Retrieved from: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-naeyc-program-standards

National Association for the Education of Young Children. 2009. NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs. Washington, DC.