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Program Statement
1. Program vision and philosophy
Why is early childhood development important?

Children studying (alamy .com)

Early childhood development is important because it lays the foundation for a child's

future cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Early childhood development is

important for several reasons, according to the source "How Does Learning Happen?" by the

Ontario Ministry of Education. 1) Early childhood development is important for building a

foundation for lifelong learning. Children who have positive early learning experiences are more

likely to develop strong cognitive, social, and emotional skills that will help them succeed in

school and in life.2)The early years are a critical period for brain development, as the brain

undergoes significant growth and development during this time. Early experiences and

interactions with caregivers and the environment can profoundly impact the development of

neural pathways that form the basis for learning, behavior, and health later in life. 3) Early

childhood development is important for promoting health and well-being. Children receiving

quality care and support in the early years are likelier to have better physical and mental health

outcomes. 4)Early childhood development is important for building a strong social and

emotional development foundation. Children who receive nurturing care and positive social

interactions in the early years are more likely to develop strong relationships, empathy, and

social skills to help them navigate the world around them. (OMEd, 2014b)

How do you view the child? What is your image of the child?
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Based on the Ontario Ministry of Education's "How Does Learning Happen?" document,

the image of the child is as a capable, competent, and curious learner who is an active participant

in their learning and development. The document emphasizes the importance of respecting and

valuing children's ideas, interests, and perspectives and recognizes all children's diverse

backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. The image of the child presented in the document can

make choices, solve problems, and construct their knowledge and understanding of the world

around them with the support and guidance of caring and responsive adults. (OMEd, 2014b)

The image of the child in early childhood development: 1. Curious: Children are naturally

curious and excited to explore and learn about the world around them. 2. Resilient: Children can

adapt and overcome challenges and should be supported in building resilience. 3. Unique: Each

child is unique and has strengths, abilities, and interests. 4. Active: Children are active learners

who engage with the world through their senses and play. 5. Capable: Children can learn and

develop new skills with provided opportunities.

2. Program goals and pedagogical Approach

Identify three program goals that your program strives to achieve to ensure professional,

inclusive, and responsive practice with children, families, and the community. Cite

information from How Does Learning Happen and the Code of Ethics and Standards of

Practice (pp. 8-15: Standard I – IV) to support your two program goals.

little girl doing creative artwork(istock photo.com)

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According to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (pp. 8-15: Standard I – IV),

the professional standards and expectations for Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, Canada.

The standards are organized into several categories or Standards of Practice, each with its own

expectations set, I have made my goals based on the following Standards.

Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships This standard focuses on establishing positive

and responsive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and communities. It includes

expectations related to building positive and respectful relationships with children Creating

inclusive environments that promote respect for diversity, and supporting each child's well-being

and development. Collaborating with families to support their child's learning and development

Working collaboratively with colleagues to promote effective communication and teamwork.

Standard II: Curriculum and Pedagogy. This standard focuses on designing and implementing

high-quality curricula and pedagogy responsive to each child's strengths, needs, and interests. It

includes expectations for designing and implementing age-appropriate, play-based, and

developmentally appropriate curricula. Supporting children's learning and development through

intentional teaching and scaffolding Documenting and assessing children's learning and

development to inform curriculum planning and decision-making. Creating environments that

promote exploration, inquiry, and critical thinking.

Standard III: Professional Knowledge and Practice. This standard focuses on ongoing

professional learning and development and the ethical and professional responsibilities of Early

Childhood Educators. It includes expectations about demonstrating knowledge and

understanding of child development, learning theory, and early learning pedagogy, Engaging in

ongoing professional learning, and reflective practice to support continuous improvement.

(College of Early Childhood Educators, 2017)

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Three goals:

1. Building Relationships: Positive relationships with children, families, and the community are

essential to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. By connecting with everyone, you

can understand their needs and interests and create an environment tailored to their unique needs.

2. Support: Providing support to children, families, and the community can take many forms,

such as providing resources, giving advice and help, or simply being a good listener. It is vital to

be responsive to their needs and provide appropriate and valuable support.

3. Create a Safe, Nurturing, and valuable Environment: Creating a safe and nurturing

environment is essential for children, families, and the community to feel comfortable and

supported. This includes providing physical safety and emotional support. Creating a positive

environment can foster learning and growth and help individuals reach their full potential.

Discuss how you will achieve each program goal (= pedagogical approach) by choosing one

pedagogical approach from page 16 in How Does Learning Happen for each program goal,

and in your own words, describe how you will use them with examples. The 5th

pedagogical approach, “using pedagogical documentation as a means to value, discuss, and

make learning visible,” must be used as one of the pedagogical approaches (you can get

more information about pedagogical documentation pp. 21 – 22 in How Dose Learning

happen)

I have made my first goal that building relationships according to The Ontario Ministry

of Education's document "How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years"

pedagogical approaches number one: Belonging (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014b)

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This approach emphasizes creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child

feels a sense of belonging. For example, by connecting with everyone, you can understand their

needs and interests and create an environment tailored to their unique needs.

I have made my second goal that supports children according to The Ontario Ministry of

Education's document "How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years"

pedagogical approaches number two Well-being (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2014b)

This approach focuses on nurturing the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being of

every child. For example, providing resources, advice, and help or simply being a good listener.

It is vital to be responsive to their needs and provide appropriate and valuable support.

I have made my third goal that Creates a Safe, nurturing, and valuable Environment

according to The Ontario Ministry of Education's document "How Does Learning Happen?

Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years" pedagogical approaches number Five: Using

pedagogical documentation to Value, discuss, and make learning visible (Ontario Ministry of

Education, 2014b) This approach involves using documentation to make learning visible. For

example, This includes providing physical safety and emotional support. Creating a positive

environment can foster learning and growth and help individuals reach their full potential.

Facilitate reflection and discussion among educators and families, and support ongoing planning

and assessment of children's learning and development.

3. Play-based learning experiences and environments

What is the value of play in your program? Cite information from the textbook Playing

and Learning in Early Childhood Education. · Choose one of the curriculum approaches,

frameworks, and models from the class materials that align with your value of play. Discuss
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how it supports your program in promoting play-based learning experiences and

environments indoors and outdoors. Provide examples

little girl using magnifying glass to explore(istock photo.com)

One curriculum approach from Dietze and Kashin's (2019) book is the Emergent

Curriculum approach. This child-centered approach encourages educators to use children's

interests and experiences to guide learning. The Emergent Curriculum approach values play as a

critical component of early childhood education and recognize that children learn through play.

Play is an essential component of children's development and has numerous benefits. Children

engaging in play can develop their creativity, imagination, problem-solving, and critical thinking

skills. Play promotes social-emotional development as children learn to interact, negotiate, and

cooperate with others. It can also support physical development as children engage in activities

that promote their gross and fine motor skills.

To promote play-based learning experiences and environments, educators using the Emergent

Curriculum approach should observe children's interests and needs and use them as a starting

point for planning learning experiences. They should create environments rich in materials and

resources that support play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors.

For example, an educator might observe that children in their class are interested in building

structures with blocks. They could then provide a variety of blocks in different sizes and shapes,

as well as other materials, such as loose parts and natural materials, to encourage the children to

explore and experiment with the building. The educator could also facilitate discussions and
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questions that encourage the children to think about the properties of the materials they are using

and how they might use them in different ways.

Outdoors, educators could create spaces for children to engage in gross motor play, such as

climbing, jumping, and running. They could also provide opportunities for exploring and

investigating natural materials, such as rocks, leaves, and insects. Educators should encourage

children to engage in play and exploration independently, as well as with peers, and should

provide support and guidance as needed. By creating play-based learning experiences and

environments, educators using the Emergent Curriculum approach can support children's

development and learn in an engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable way. (Dietze & Kashin, 2019)

Play is a crucial aspect of human development and has numerous benefits. Here are two key

ideas about the value of play: 1. Promotes Social Development. Play provides opportunities for

children to interact with others and develop social skills. It teaches them how to communicate

and problem-solve with others. Through play, children also learn how to control their emotions,

develop empathy, and build relationships with others. 2. Promote Cognitive Development. Play

helps children develop cognitive skills such as creativity, imagination, and critical thinking.

When children engage in imaginative play, they create playscript and solve problems in their

minds, which develop their cognitive abilities. Play also helps children develop fine motor skills,

eye-hand coordination, and spatial awareness. These are crucial for later academic and life

success.

4. The role of the family

reading with family members (istock photo.com)

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How will the family be engaged in your program? Provide an example.

Family engagement is important in early childhood education because it can positively

impact children's learning and development. It helps to create a positive and supportive learning

environment for the child. When families are involved in their child's education, they are more

likely to understand what their child is learning and how they can support their child's learning at

homeResearch has shown that when families are involved in their children's education, children

are more likely to have better academic outcomes and social-emotional development. ( ELECT

2014)

Regular Communication is a useful way that families can participate and engage in an

early childhood education program by keeping regular communication with their child's

caregivers. This can be done differently through in-person meetings, phone calls, emails, or

parent-teacher conferences. Families can work with teachers to support their child's development

and learning by staying informed about their child's advance. For example, a family might

participate in their child's early childhood education program by attending parent-teacher

conferences to discuss their child's progress and development. They might also communicate

regularly with the teacher to share information about their child's interests and needs and learn

about the program's activities and goals. By actively engaging with the teacher, the family can

support their child's learning and development at home and in the classroom and contribute to an

active and cooperative learning environment.

5. The role of the community

little gril painting bird house in a community event(istock photo.com)

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How will the community be engaged in your program? Provide an example

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education's document "How Does Learning

Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years," community engagement is an important aspect

of early childhood education. Engaging with families, caregivers, and community members can

help create an environment that supports children's learning and development.

Community engagement in early childhood education might involve partnering with a local

library to provide family resources. By partnering with the library, educators can extend their

reach beyond the classroom and connect families with valuable resources and support. (OMEd,

2014a, p. 5)

Community involvement is important in early childhood education. For example, by

Volunteering. Community members can spend their time and ability to support early childhood

education programs. This may involve participating in classroom activities, reading different

books to children, introducing cultural traditions and experiences, or providing professional

services such as music or art activity. For example, a local artist could volunteer to lead an art

workshop for young children in an early childhood education program. By sharing their

experiences and knowledge with the children, they can improve the lessons and provide children

with a new and engaging learning environment. It helps strengthen the relationship between the

early childhood education program and the community, creating a sense of shared responsibility

and a huge help to its success.

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References

College of Early Childhood Educators. (2017). Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice for
Registered Early Childhood Educators in Ontario (2nd ed.).
https://www.college-ece.ca/en/Documents/Code_and_Standards_2017.pdf

Dietze, B., & Kashin, D. (2019). Playing and learning in early childhood education (2nd ed.).
Pearson.
Ontario Ministry of Education (2014a). Excerpts from “ELECT.” Toronto: Queen’s Printer for

Canada. [NOTE: Original publication prepared by the Best Start Expert Panel, 2007].
Ontario Ministry of Education (2014b). How does learning happen? Ontario’s pedagogy for the
early years
https://files.ontario.ca/edu-how-does-learning-happen-en-2021-03-23.pdf

Children studying
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/indian-children-studying.html?sortBy=relevant

Little Girl Painting and Drawing

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/little-indian-girl-painting-and-drawing-gm1350428364-42654
3322?phrase=children%20study

The little girl is using a magnifying glass to play in the park

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/asian-little-girl-is-using-magnifying-glass-to-play-in-the-park-
gm1390990681-447762335?phrase=children%20study

Big sister reads stories to her little sister

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/big-sister-reads-stories-to-her-little-sister-gm1062159252-28
3968426?phrase=children%20study%20from%20home

Smiling Asian girl birdhouse painting

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/smiling-asian-girl-birdhouse-painting-gm1370052429-43968
7888?phrase=children%20learning%20outdoors
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