INTASC+Standard+2

INTASC.2 STANDARD: The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development.

Specific Category of Standard: INTASC.2.B K: The teacher understands that students' physical, social, emotional, moral and cognitive development influence learning and knows how to address these factors when making instructional decisions.

Understanding Sentence: At this point in my journey, I understand INTASC Standard 2 to be that the teacher has a firm understanding of a child's intellectual, social and personal development and how that development influences the learning process, allowing the teacher to provide the best and most appropriate learning experience.

Artifacts
 * Preschool Observation [[file:OrrPreschool.doc]]
 * Physical Observation [[file:PhysicalObservation.doc]]

Reflect The Artifacts, Preschool Observation and Physical Observation, are examples of Standard 2. Both artifacts exemplify my understanding on the student's physical, social, emotional, moral and cognitive development. Through each observation I was able to project how the child's development influences the learning process as well as how the child's environment affects their behavior. The experience provided me with an in-depth look into the behaviors of the child from a developmental standpoint. The Preschool Observation Artifact focused mostly on the emotional development of the child and the other artifact focused on the Physical observation, although both, demonstrated that all domains are interrelated.

Project The Artifacts, Preschool Observation and Physical Observation, demonstrate who I am as a learner by showing the refinement of my observation skills. Observation is an imperative type of assessment for teachers to use on students and themselves. I have learned through these artifacts the importance of staying self-aware. These observations have brought to light the possibility of unintended outcomes from the surrounding environment. I am aware of the thought and preparation providing a safe and developmentally appropriate learning environment will take. I have also learned that an ongoing problem in the classroom may be something easily solved by a simple change in the environment. As an anonymous observer, solutions easily stand out, but as a teacher in the middle of a daily lesson, I may miss them entirely. That is why these observation skills are very important to refine and understand. It is not until we understand the development process that we understand how children learn. In my future practice I will use the knowledge of child development to make appropriate instructional decisions. Students learn when they are ready and feel safe in their environment. It is my job as an instructor to provide that environment and appropriate learning experiences.