Standard 7
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 7. EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD EXPERIENCES
Field experiences and clinical practice are planned and sequenced so that candidates develop the knowledge, skills and professional dispositions necessary to promote the development and learning of young children across the entire developmental period of early childhood –
in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth – age 3, 3 through 5, 5 through 8 years) and in the variety of settings that offer early education (early school grades, childcare centers and homes, Head Start programs). (NAEYC, 2010)
Brief Description of Evidence: The assignments I chose were The Hand Washing Observation and The Meal Time Observation. I completed these assignments in ECED 101 Health Safety & Nutrition in the Fall Semester of 2018. In the Hand Washing Observation, I had to observe students ages 3-5 washing their hands. I had to see if they washed their hands before and after lunch, how long they washed their hands, and if there were signs in the bathrooms about handwashing. In the Mealtime Observation, I had to watch what the children ages 3 ate as snack and to see if it followed the correct serving and food type requirements.
​
Analysis of What I Learned: During the Hand Washing Observation and Mealtime Observation, I had the opportunity to gain field experience by watching to see if the children washed their hands the correct way. I feel as though these observations relate to Piaget's Cognitive Developmental Theory. Piaget states children think differently than adults. Children do not understand why we wash our hands the way we do and why they have to eat certain foods to stay healthy. We as the teachers are there to inform them. From completing the assignment, I learned the ways children are supposed to and not supposed to wash their hands. I learned they have to wash their hands for a certain amount of time, and that there are supposed to be signs of how to wash your hands. In the Mealtime Observation, I learned that there are certain standards you have to follow during snack and mealtime. For snack you are supposed to have ½ serving of something whole grain, ½ cup of fruit or vegetables and the correct serving of 1% milk.
​
How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard: I feel that these artifacts prove I am competent in this NAEYC standard because, in the Hand Washing Observation I observed ages 3-5 years old in their environment during playtime, snack time, and work time. In the Meal Time Observation, I observed age 3 in their environment during snack time. I was able to interact and play with the children during these observations, which helps me gain practice in the 3-year-old age group, and the 3-5 years old age group. I feel that this proves how competent I am in observing and practicing in at least two of the three early childhood age groups.