As a hopeful, future early childhood educator I would like to embrace and practice each of the NAEYC's Core Values because I think they are all important in becoming an effective teacher for our future learners. But since I only have to choose four I would have to select the following: appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle; respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague); respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues; and recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect.
Core Value #1 - Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle
In order to implement this particular core value I would first like to practice teaching each child the importance of social practices and ways of showing their true emotions but also remembering that they are children and that it's okay to act as such. And the one activity that I believe I would put into effect is making sure children participated in play-based activities each day in my classroom. I want to make sure the children know that they are going through a very important stage in their life.
Core Value #2 - Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague)
To successfully practice this specific core value I would make it my mission in learning about each individual that came in and out of my classroom; including the children's family members and my colleagues because by getting to know one another we learn about different features within different cultures or religions and this could be a very important learning process for young children. One way of doing so is to employ a show and tell where each child could bring in something that maybe they wear differently or an object that displays how they celebrate the common holidays within their culture differently.
Core Value #3 - Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
This is another important value to carry out inside of your classroom, I feel that it goes hand in hand with the core value above. Because I believe it is very important that we, as future early childhood educators, teach the students in our future classrooms to never just look at the color of someone else's skin or look at another individuals religious beliefs as wrong just because they are different. If I asked myself, do I have an array of different colored materials such as paint, paper, play dough, crayons, or markers, would I be able to say yes? I would like to be able to say yes, so to reflect on the variety of skin tones, eye color, and hair color within society.
Core Value #4 - Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect
Getting someone to trust you and feel respected by you is one of the most important aspects an individual can hold, especially if you're trying to become an effective teacher. Because getting a child to trust and respect you could make it that much easier in beginning a relationship with the students in your classroom. Listen to not just one student's story but actually listen to what every child has to say and not favor certain children. I would try my hardest to implement the golden rule; treat others how you would want to be treated.
Understanding these particular values could potentially help me in becoming a better early childhood educator and colleague because I'm now aware of the many different aspects when it comes to this field. I now know more ideas of how I could implement each of these values within my classroom, it brings me closer to the children/students within my class, as well as a close-knit relationship with anyone I work next to. Having a good relationship with the children, family members, and your colleagues will only display that important, positive environment for everyone to learn and teach in.