Early Childhood Competencies 4. Using Developmentally Effective Approaches 4.2 Knows and understands effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology.
Evidence 1: Teaching Strategies Gold online child assessment documentation. Form
Description: Using the Teaching Strategies Gold online child assessment program allows my program to document assessments with the technology of the specialized program.
Analysis/Reflection: In achieving a 5 STAR (Step Ahead Recognition System) rating for my program and becoming a Prequalified Prekindergarten Education Program, one of my requirements is to use the Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) for my child assessments and documentation. TSG is based on 38 objectives that include predictors of school success. With this program I can use state of the art reports that are designed to identify a child's development stage and progression with my documentation and questions I answer about the child. Through the program, I am able to see on paper where a child may need extra support and where I may need to adjust my program to accommodate extra activities to engage those areas of need. As I am in my second year of using TSG I can see in detail the progression of developmental, cognitive, emotional, and physical development of the child from one year to the next. 4.2 4.2
Evidence 2: Documentation using a camera taking pictures or video, and two Kindle Fire's, for taking pictures and uploading them to Teaching Strategies Gold.
Description: In my program I use many forms of technology to document the children's learning and or activities. I use daily a camera or video camera to take pictures of activities and or lessons for parents to see what we do on a daily basis.
Analysis/Reflection: The phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" means so much to my philosophy and program. I use a camera almost every day that my program is in session to document what the children are learning and observing. I use these pictures in two different ways - I will post pictures to my private Facebook parent group on what their child did that day or on my open Facebook page. I have also used video documentation when I needed to fully show how a child was handling transitions and/or conflicts for the CIS (Child Integrated Services) team to help a child with behavioral issues. This video documentation demonstrated a live account in the moment on the child's behavior. This allowed the team to see firsthand how the child reacted to certain situations. 4.2
Evidence 3: My program's (Mountain Road Preschool's) website. www.mountainroadpreschool.com
Description: The website I created for new parents and families inquiring about my program.
Analysis/Refection: When I opened my program in 2012, I knew I wanted to be viewed as a high quality education program. In developing my program I was able to pick a name that was both professional and easy to find via the internet or email. I live on Mountain Road in Addison, so I came up with the name: Mountain Road Preschool. I was fortunate that no one had taken that domain name for a website or email address, so when I set up those two pieces I was able to use the email address of [email protected] and a website address of www.mountainroadpreschool.com. My website is an ongoing work of art as I continually update it, adding new pictures, certificates, and recommendations I have recieved. Attached below (two pages) is the first page of my website. 4.2
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