Philosophy

Miles Cortis
11/2/17
Philosophy
ECE 1414
Beginning to write my philosophy on teaching was a little difficult at first just because I
did not know where to start. I feel like I could go in many different directions in my beliefs of
teaching that could become confusing so I think the best way to start is how I believe children
learn. By explaining how I believe children learn I will then be able to go into how I believe in
teaching. After discussing how I believe in teaching them, I will discuss how I help children
through problems, social, mental, and physical.
So to start off on how I believe children learn, I think it is extremely important to try and
put yourself in the child’s shoes. Children have different ways of learning unique to them. Before
even starting a class year, I think it is most important to get to know your children. Some
children understand directions verbally. Other children learn by doing, other children have to see
what you are trying to teach. If before the school year even begins you get to know the children
in your class on a personal level then it will be much easier to understand day one why maybe
those few kids that won’t sit still while you are trying to talk to the class. I have a child that is in
the class I am currently helping with that seems to be interested in everything else around him
beside the words that are coming out of my mouth. When I ask him what I just said he can
almost tell me to the T what I just said. It amazed me because here I thought he was being
distracted by fidgeting around with a toy in his hand but it seems to have helped him retain what
is being said.
So in conclusion on how children learn, I believe they learn in all sorts of unique ways, it
is just a matter of figuring out what works best for those individual children. An easy way to
approach this and to help children stay motivated in school is allowing the children to sort of
lead in the direction they would like to go. Have a discussion on the children’s interest, what
they would like to learn and how they will like to learn it; whether this is by physically doing and
activity, writing or drawing, building something, watching something, and possibly even
exploring something on their own like nature or materials in the classroom.
Talking about how children learn I began to discuss my view of how unique each
individual child is. I believe it is very important to make sure I am always trying to cater to the
child’s needs, however that child may learn. If children can learn something better by it being
told like a story then maybe the children that learn it better by drawing can help me draw up a
story for the children that want to hear it as a story. The children that like to have a little more
control in the classroom can help us tell the story to help them stay engaged as well. The child
that has a lot of energy and needs to get it out can carry the heavy boxes of supplies to the story
tellers then help bind all the books together.
In conclusion to how I teach, I believe it all depends on the children and I am always
looking for a creative savvy way of teaching the children. One other major thing I believe in as
well is that flexibility is key to keeping a classroom engaged. If something is not working or the
children are not interested, it’s absolutely fine to scrap it all and switch to something else. When
the children feel as if they have the ability to pick what they want to learn then that will give
them the motivation for school. They will see what learning can provide and be excited to learn
all sorts of new things. I also like to teach in the heat of the moment. When children are
immersed in their environment and the wow factor is really going on. An example would be a
boy I use to have in my class, his mom still tells me when I see her before he gets picked up for
the bus the Mr. Miles facts. I would tell the boys and girls random facts about random things
mostly on our nature walks about bugs, plants, and other things we happened to stumble across.
Children seem to really remember the random facts and absolutely loved sharing them with
others.
Finally it comes to helping children with the everyday issues. Majority of my philosophy
is remaining open minded and adaptation. The same is true to the issues that happen from time to
time. If a child is getting extremely squirrelly at the table and accidentally spills their milk then I
will try and notice the natural consequence. When the child asks for more milk cause they spilt
theirs, here is a teachable moment. No I will not be able to get more milk for the child because
the child was not careful. In a calm tone of voice I would explain the natural consequence to the
child to teach in the moment. In any number of situations I have noticed that not reacting
immediately to a situation can shed light on where the natural consequence is and how to go
about exposing the natural consequence to the child. If a child is causing harm to another child
then yes I will act quickly to get the children separated but after, I like to calmly work through
both sides of the story to see what the full story was. If it was a certain item that was causing an
issue then if a break is needed from that item seeing both children were at fault then a break from
that activity or toy can be set.
In conclusion, again, allowing the children to show where the help is needed. I believe
that observing a situation for a few moments before reacting can give a lot of valuable
information on how to teach in the moment about the situation. Even when a child gets
physically hurt I often let the child have a few moments to decipher the situation and the pain
that they are in before taking action towards the child asking if they are okay.
Patience, adaptation, willingness to move on from the original plan, and always keeping
an eye out for the teachable moments really help children feel comfortable in their environment.
I believe this approach to teaching can help motivate children into always wanting to continue
their education and be open minded to the world around them.

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Miles Cortis

through problems, social, mental, and physical.

exploring something on their own like nature or materials in the classroom.

tellers then help bind all the books together.

that activity or toy can be set.

their education and be open minded to the world around them.

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