Day 7: Professional Teaching Standards at Childcare Portfolio

I used today to examine the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. I reflected on Standard 1 (Know children and how they learn) and Standard 6 (Engage in professional learning). I identified learning preferences of individual children and discussed with my mentor how they cater to these differences through diverse teaching strategies. I also received feedback on my reflective journal entries to improve my practice.

Demonstrating Professional Teaching Standards

During my placement, I actively demonstrate the Professional Teaching Standards by maintaining a high level of professionalism, building positive relationships, and reflecting on my practice to continuously improve. I use my understanding of child development and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to plan and deliver meaningful learning experiences. I consider each child's interests, abilities, and cultural background to ensure learning is inclusive and relevant. For example, I recently adapted a storytelling activity to include visual props for a child who was learning English as an additional language, helping them feel included and engaged (AITSL, 2011).

Collecting and Organising Evidence

During my placement, I learned the importance of collecting and organizing evidence to support children’s learning, assess their progress, and guide future planning. This process helps ensure that each child’s development is understood, valued, and effectively supported (AITSL, 2011).

  1. Observations
    I regularly observe children during play and routine activities to collect authentic evidence of their learning. I note key behaviors, interactions, interests, and developmental milestones. For example, I observed a child using problem-solving skills during a block-building activity and documented this to reflect their progress towards EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners (Department of Education, 2022).

  2. Learning Stories and Photographs
    I write learning stories that include photos and descriptions of the learning experience, linking them to the EYLF learning outcomes and developmental domains. These stories provide meaningful insight into the child’s learning journey and help families understand their child’s experiences in the service.

Challenges and Strategies

Challenge: Understanding and Applying the EYLF and NQS

As a student, I found it challenging to link my observations and activities directly to the learning outcomes and quality standards.

Strategy:
I asked for guidance from experienced educators and practised making connections between what I observed and the EYLF outcomes. I also referred to visual charts and guides that broke down the learning outcomes and NQS elements in simple terms.

Activity

🧠 Activity: “Learning Style Stations” (Personal Reflection)

Today, I set up a multi-station activity designed to explore and support the different ways children learn. This activity helped me reflect on Standard 1 (Know children and how they learn) and Standard 6 (Engage in professional learning) from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

What I Did:

I created three different learning stations:

  1. Visual Station  I provided puzzles and drawing materials to support children who respond well to images and visuals.

  2. Auditory Station  I set up a listening corner where children could hear stories and sing along to familiar songs.

  3. Kinesthetic Station  I organized a simple obstacle course and sensory play for children who learn best through movement and hands-on activity.

What I Observed:

I noticed that some children were naturally drawn to specific stations. For example, one child spent most of their time in the auditory area, deeply engaged in a storytelling recording. Another child was excited by the physical play and kept returning to the kinesthetic station. I documented their preferences and considered how this understanding could influence my future teaching approaches.

Professional Growth:

This experience helped me understand how individual learning styles affect engagement. I discussed my observations with my mentor, who gave me valuable feedback on how to incorporate differentiated teaching strategies in daily routines. I also reflected on this activity in my journal, using my mentor's feedback to refine my practice. This supports my progress in Standard 6, as I actively engaged in professional learning to improve my teaching.

Next Steps:

I plan to use this insight to offer more learning experiences that cater to individual preferences. I also intend to continue documenting learning styles in my journal and seek regular feedback from colleagues to strengthen my practice.

 

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