Self-Assessment Tool

Reflection Questions

Reflect on your practice and think broadly about what impacts your work.

• My work is impacted on a systems level by policies and funding cuts.
• My work is impacted by new research about forest and nature schools, nature-based learning, brain development, and social/emotional development since those are leading topics of research in the field.
• My work is impacted by changes to the Early Childhood Education and Bachelor's of Early Learning and Community Development Program as I continue my studies.
• My work is impacted by changes in focus in the education system, such as deep learning strategies, incorporating technology etc.

Think about the role of others in your professional practice. How do you seek, offer, and consider feedback from others? What have you learned from others? What do others learn from you?

• As a student, most of my feedback comes from my professors who are aware of my knowledge in the growing field of early learning and how current research support child development.
• Recently I have been receiving feedback from my placement on-site supervisors. I will be receiving more feedback from the supervisors of my internship and placement II supervisors of the Bachelors of Early Learning and Community Development Program (BELCD).
• The greatest feedback I receive, which is most important, is from the children and families I work with directly. When children and families are comfortable sharing their experiences and important information with me, I know I am doing something right because building relationships with families are crucial to being a supportive educator.
• From others, I have learned that we are always continuously working towards being our best and cannot be the best when we first start out. Being the best RECE takes experience and daily reflection.
• RECE's, families, and professionals review child development with me and learn about the positive effects recent early learning trends are having on development, such as nature-based early learning and the effects of stress on the developing brain.

What additional knowledge, skills, or resources do you need to support your strengths, areas for growth, leadership development, or professional learning interests?

• To expand my knowledge about child development and the developing brain, I should find resources that will grow my skills such as resource articles, communities of practice, workshop opportunities, and online courses.
• To expand and grow my service to families, it would be helpful to enhance my knowledge about children's and families rights and how to advocate for them.
• To be a leader in the early learning community and to develop as a leader, resources such as a platform and comprehensible, shareable knowledge will support me in my growth.

Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Review and Reflection

After reading standard I I can identify that I have a strong understanding of the role of the family as the child's primary vehicle for learning. I also understand children are best understood in the context of their family which is why it is crucial to build positive relationships with families. I also know I am consistently responsive to children's' needs and engage in serve and return interaction when children express themselves verbally and non verbally to support their sense of well-being and expression. I can grow in the areas of being knowledgeable about theories that impact responsive relationships and encourage collaborative work with colleagues because I have not spent and extensive amount of time with one teach (Standard I:B.1 and Standard I:C.5)

I have a broad knowledge of child development theories and how children develop in the 5 domains and within different contexts (Standard II:B.1). I try to keep up to date on current learning theories and pedagogical approaches (Standard II:B.2). To expand in my practice, I should focus on responding to the uniqueness of individual and groups of children (Standard II:C.4).

I can improve in my practice be designing learning environments that support self-regulation, independence, reasonable risk-taking, exploration, and positive interactions (Standard III:C.6). I can also find ways to promote health with opportunities for children to connect with the natural worlds (Standard III:C.7).

I can grow in the profession by keeping up to date with research about early childhood development. I can also advocate for programs that support children and families and expand my leadership in the profession by being knowledgeable about what community roles educators take on (Standard IV:C.1) (Standard IV:C.5) (Standard IV: B.3).

Currently I have been strong at recognizing dual relationships and maintaining professional boundaries (Standard V:C.1). To grow in this standard I may be able to document instances of dual relationships and how I maintain professionalism.

Up to date, I have practiced confidentiality by creating permission forms for parents to sign when completing observations on placement. I have also practice confidentiality by placing consent forms at the end of surveys when collecting research (Standard VI:C.1). To grow, I can become more familiar with the Child and Family Services Act (Standard VI:B.4).

Professional Learning Goals

Professional Learning Priority: Remain up to date on the benefits of Nature-based Early Learning and support existing Ottawa early learning programs to incorporate nature-based learning into practice.

Related Standards:

• Standard II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Standard III: Safety, Health, and Well-being in the Learning Environment
• Standard IV: Professionalism and Leadership

Professional Learning Goal: To use up-to-date research-based resources to develop nature-based early learning practices in Ottawa Early Childhood Education programs.

Professional Learning Priority: Remain up-to-date and knowledgeable about child development, including the developing brain architecture and the impacts of trauma and stress on the developing brain.

Related Standards:

• Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships
• Standard IV: Professionalism and Leadership

Professional Learning Goal: Build knowledge about child development, specifically child brain development and the effects of stress, substances, trauma etc.

Professional Learning Priority: Build an advocacy platform to support the rights of children and families.

Related Standards:

• Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships
• Standard III: Safety, Health and Well-being in the Learning Environment

Professional Learning Goal: To use social media platforms, such as twitter, blogs etc., and other means to inform the public about the need and benefits of protecting children's' rights and learn more about the specific rights of children and families.