In Chapter 2, the author of your text discusses the connection between assumptions and beliefs and the profound effect our perception of these can have on our ability to become effective teachers. As Jaruszewicz (2013) explains, “Your growth as a teacher and your ability to create, manage, and facilitate an environment conducive to powerful learning depends on your willingness to honestly, intentionally, and regularly identify, examine, and revise your assumptions as needed” (section 2.4, para. 6). Reflecting on Jaruszewicz’s assertion about teacher growth and effectiveness, this discussion provides you with an opportunity to start creating your curriculum philosophy by comparing and contrasting your beliefs to curriculums seen in today’s early childhood classrooms. 

Initial Post: First, complete the Reflection & Decision Making Matrix. Attach your completed matrix to your discussion post by clicking the paperclip icon to add an attachment. Second, based on your completed matrix, create a curriculum philosophy statement. Your philosophy statement must be at least one paragraph, include at least one strategy you can use to effectively educate young children and be supported by at least one scholarly resource. 

ECE203: Reflection & Decision Making Matrix

Purpose: Students use this matrix as a resource for the Week One Discussion 1 in ECE203 to develop a personal curriculum philosophy.  

Instructions: Each of the questions below, when reflected on as a whole, can represent a brief philosophical statement. Think carefully about how to answer each for that reason. “Consider how your values and assumptions about families, the way you were raised, and your own experiences with education might influence the way you answer the questions. 

Purpose: Students use this matrix as a resource for the Week One Discussion 1 in ECE203 to develop a personal curriculum philosophy.  

Instructions: Each of the questions below, when reflected on as a whole, can represent a brief philosophical statement. Think carefully about how to answer each for that reason. “Consider how your values and assumptions about families, the way you were raised, and your own experiences with education might influence the way you answer the questions. As you reflect on the information presented in this chapter and continue to do your own research about curricula that interest you, propose answers to each of the questions from the perspective of the curriculum developers. As you look across the chart, you should be able to see how one curriculum compares with another, and with your own beliefs.” (Jaruszewicz, 2012, Section 2.4).

Questions:

My Beliefs:

Curriculum A:

Curriculum B:

Curriculum C:

What is the purpose of early childhood education?

What are young children like and how do they learn?

Who participates in early childhood education and what are their roles?

What’s worth knowing? What should children learn?

How might the curriculum be implemented and acted out?