Fall 2009 - ECE 334 (Infant/Toddler Curriculum) - Ithaca Community Childcare Center - 5 Hours

My experience at IC3 was an interesting one.  I had never worked with this age group prior to my observations for ECE 334, so I went into the toddler rooms completely fresh and not knowing what to expect.  One of the first things I noticed was the distinct lack of development compared to pre-kindergarten students.  I had learned about this amazing developmental growth during the first years of life in my college classes, but actually seeing such a dramatic difference in person still stunned me.  I enjoyed interacting with this age group, but realized that I missed the jokes and conversations I had had with pre-kindergarteners who were developed enough to truly interact with me.  Toddlers are definitely a fun group to work with, especially since they are just taking everything in.  However, I left my observations with a sense that I would like working regularly with slightly older children more.

Spring 2010 - ECE 332 - Pre-Kindergarten at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School - 75.5 Hours

I initially became interested in the early childhood field while working with three and four-year-olds, so I naturally enjoy working with this age group immensely.  I enjoy the creativity, curiosity, and social skills children develop at this age.  I can communicate and “play” with three and four-year-olds and expect an appropriate response.  Children at this age are trusting of familiar adults, and form solid friendships with both peers and adults that tend to last well into the future.  I am still friends with many children I originally met at this age, and I truly treasure these relationships.  I also find it fascinating to watch children at this age play with blocks, art materials, or other manipulatives.  Their creativity is blossoming, and this growth is evident in their work.

Fall 2011 – ECE 491 – Class at Barry Elementary School

Spring 2011 - ECE 479 (Practicum) - 1st Grade at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School - 75.5 Hours

I have had a great experience in my first grade practicum placement and will remember the students I worked with well into the future.  Perhaps one of the nicest things about my experience was that I got to teach some of the same children I worked with in the pre-kindergarten class.  It took me a little while to warm up to this age group after being in pre-kindergarten classes for so long, but one of my favorite pieces was watching the growth of individual children into readers and junior mathematicians.  I loved seeing how excited the students got when they mastered a new skill and enjoyed teaching these skills in ways that would best suit each child.  I would definitely consider working long-term with first graders.

Fall 2011 – ECE 490 – Class at Beverly J. Martin Elementary