Professional Skills
1. Reliability and punctuality: I consistently attend on time. I understand that reliability is crucial for educators, and punctuality can also create a stable environment for children and colleagues.
2. Communication skills: When I communicate with children, I pay attention to listening. I want to understand their needs and interests. For example, Benjamin didn’t want to go back to inside. The teachers chose to warn him, and he became angrier. I chose to listen to what he wanted. He said he wanted to put the wood on the house. After I helped him finish it, he happily went back to inside with us.
3. Adaptability: I understand that the teaching environment is full of changes, so I am able to adjust my teaching strategies promptly based on the needs of the children to ensure that every child can participate in and benefit from the activities. For example, when a child is unwilling to join a particular activity, I first communicate with them to ask about the reason and listen to their thoughts. Based on the child’s feedback, I offer other activity options, such as storytelling or playing with toys. This not only respects the child’s interests but also helps them engage in group activities in a more comfortable way. I believe that by flexibly adjusting teaching strategies, I can better meet the individualized needs of each child, encouraging them to participate actively and supporting their development.
Practical Skills
1. Responsiveness: In my interactions with children, I always pay attention to their needs. When children ask me for help, I will help them immediately. When children express sadness, I will comfort them with a gentle approach.
2. Collaboration with colleagues: I recognize the importance of teamwork in daily tasks. When colleagues are busy, I will take the initiative to share some tasks to ensure that we can complete daily activities efficiently. For example, when I see a colleague cleaning the floor, I offer my assistance, which ensures that the classroom environment is tidied and allows us to focus more effectively on next activities. This collaboration not only improves the efficiency but also helps me build stronger working relationships with my colleagues.
3. Promote expression and communication: When interacting with children, I found that some children are introverted and often like to play with toys alone in the corner. In order to help them interact with others, I guide a small group of children to play together. For example, I invite two or three children to participate in the game together and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about toys. During this process, I ask questions and provide positive feedback to encourage them to express their ideas, listen to others, and share their emotions. This not only promotes their social interactions, but also enhances their language development and emotional communication.
4. Building Trusting Relationships with Children: I focus on the importance of interacting with children, especially in outdoor activities, I often build connections by playing with children. For example, I often imagine myself as a child and actively participate in their games, such as playing hide-and-seek or with toy cars. These interactions not only help me better understand their needs but also assist in establishing trust. Through these interactions, the children are gradually willing to take the initiative to play with me and show greater affection. I realize that building trust is not just about play, it also involves encouraging children to express their thoughts and feelings during interactions. During the games, I guide them when appropriate, encourage them to express themselves verbally, ask questions, and seek help. In this way, I not only build a closer relationship with the children but also help them enhance their self-confidence and social skills. Maintaining a friendly relationship with them, I always remember to play a guiding role in our interactions, ensuring that the children learn essential social and communication skills while enjoying free play. I believe that this relationship, which combines friendship with guidance, not only promotes the children’s emotional development but also helps them grow.
5. Create an inclusive environment: In my educational practice, I pay special attention to creating an inclusive environment, paying attention to the individual differences of each child, I adjust my interactions based on their personalities and needs. For example, with extroverted children, I engage them in activities like building with blocks or constructing houses. These activities stimulate their imagination while encouraging them to express their ideas more freely. Through positive feedback and support, I help boost their confidence and develop their social skills during these activities. On the other hand, with those introverted children, I choose to interact with them by reading storybooks. I read with the children and guide them to reflect on and express their thoughts about the story through questions. These interactions not only improve their language skills but also encourage them to open up in a safe environment, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings. Through these personalized interactions, I am able to support each child, helping them grow in different ways. I believe the core of an inclusive environment is respecting the individual differences of children. Providing equal opportunities for each of them, helping them develop at their own pace.