Competency 4

My goal in this area is to work hard to enhance the childrens development in all areas of learning.

To improve motor skills I implement musical movement in my classroom enviroment by providing activities that make the children feel part of a group. This makes the children get up and move their bodies. Through movement activities like playing "Follow the leader" they can improve large muscle skills, balance and coordination. Language development is implemented in my classroom by using spoken language to communicate with the children enlarging the childrens vocabulary, using language to solve problems. I also provide the understanding of print and how it works and the knowledge of the alphabet and sight words.

To improve cognitive development of children I give the children opportunities to learn, problem solve and think logically and symbolically. For example, Learning- the children may ask questions or make predictions. Thinking logically- the children can sort, classify, count, compare and measure patterns. Symbolically- children may use a spoon for a wand, a block for a car, children may use many objects in a unique way. Observing a childs cognitive development is seeing that childs mind expand.

To improve Literracy development in my classroom I have to know the best way each child may learn so that I can understand the childs individuality. Auditory learners are those who learn best by listening. I ask open-ended questions to encourage the children to verbalize. Visual learners learn best by looking. I find that graphs, images or pictures are great for these learners.

Kinesthetic learners learn best by moving. I implement this in my classroom enviroment by providing things that the children can feel, touch and moveable items. I also implement this by providing more hands on activities.

...