Reflection on Early Childhood Education - Essay Example

Getting comfort and consolation as a hurt child is very important in terms of socio-emotional development. In the case described, Chase was not only physically hurt but he may have been embarrassed for slipping on the floor. Being on hand to provide the comfort he needed, I felt useful and nurturing. Teachers serve as alternate parents in the school setting and in the absence of his mother, who is assumed to provide the comfort and nurturance he needs when he is hurt, upset, hungry, etc., he turned his need for comfort at that particular time to me. When he was assured that he was safe in the company of a trusted adult, he was able to go back to his normal routine. The new box of puzzles worked in taking away his attention from the recent accident he just had.

This episode reflects Te Whaariki’s three goals of the first strand of well-being. For the first goal of the promotion of health, the staff followed all the rules when cleaning up the room, but accidents are inevitable. It is a good thing the centre is equipped with all the necessary materials to alleviate and cure injuries such as ice and skin cream. The emotional well-being of the hurt boy was addressed as I cuddled him and whispered words of comfort until he regained his composure after the shock of the accident. In doing so, I nurtured his self-esteem and assured him that his embarrassment of slipping was not a big deal. Gonzalez-Mena (2009) contends that “self-esteem is made up of self-image – the pictures we carry of ourselves and self-concept- the ideas we have about ourselves” (p. 205). Assuring him that the image I held of him was not affected by the accident ensured his emotional well-being. Finally, the goal of keeping children safe from harm was evident in the episode even if there was an accident. The lesson learned here is to still be vigilant for the children’s safety at all times. The classroom environment should reflect the goals and expectations of the teacher. It will also dictate somehow to the children how they will behave (Brewer, 2001). In the case of clean-up time, if children will not be safe inside the classroom, the environment should speak to them that they should stay out.

Actions:
- I shall be vigilant in preventing accidents and ensuring the health and safety of children by being alert to danger signs.
- I shall further study how to promote the emotional well-being of children so that when my help is needed, I will be able to provide them with what they need to be emotionally healthy children.
- I shall learn first-aid procedures to apply in case of accidents.