Reflective Essay On Early Childhood Education

When I first heard the term ECE, my first thought was, YAY! I will be learning education content intended for young children. Specifically, formal school age children, kindergarten through fifth grade. Kindergarten is when education starts, right? I had always assumed “early childhood” to be a term used to describe children five to eight. To me, the term early childhood education (ECE) was primarily in regards to the education of elementary children. My understanding of early education, was constricted to my personal experiences with the term elementary, and how I synonymously used it with early education.

First, I loved elementary school! Being able to play at recess, have snacks, and less assessment driven instruction, made me relish learning. Second, in my early education school years, I excelled in academics, interpersonal relationships, and was a great football player. I have been one of the only “girls” who was picked to play school yard ball with the boys. The years that followed, not so much. After, elementary it was not cool for girls to play football, it was more difficult to maintain friendships, and academics were lackluster and tiresome, I loathed middle and high school. Third, in my adult life, I have worked in a public elementary school for seven years. It has been my most rewarding career to date. I knew

I learned the significance of providing reinforcement and positive feedback when children perform behaviors, like helping one another. This way the students will tend to repeat the desired pro-social behavior. Also, the impact of being a good role model for the children. In a pro-social environment, it is imperative to read stories that illustrate pro-social behaviors, and work with the parents in a professional and caring way. I now have the knowledge to provide and practice conflict resolution skills in the classroom, and structure it for prime