Directions: Summarize your professional beliefs and values about early childhood education including how you believe children learn, what you believe your role is as an educator, and how you support children and families. Consider the guiding questions below as you write your professional philosophy statement. This reflection should be no more than two pages in length.

1. What are your personal values and beliefs about teaching and learning?
   1. What do you believe about teaching?
   2. What do you think makes a good teacher?
   3. What do you believe are important qualities for teachers to have?
   4. What has influenced your teaching practices? How?
   5. How do you support the learning needs of the all the children in your classroom?
2. How do you believe young children learn?
   1. How do young children learn best?
   2. What do children need to learn and develop?
   3. What are the elements of a good curriculum? What types of activities should be provided to children to help them learn and develop?
   4. What do you think is important to include in the environment to promote learning?
   5. What are important elements to include in the environments?
3. What do you believe is your role as a teacher?
   1. How do you communicate with families in your classroom?
   2. What is important to effectively communicate with families?
   3. How do you build positive relationships with families?
   4. What opportunities do you provide to get families involved in the program and in their child’s development?
   5. What do you hope that children and families get from being in your classroom?
   6. How does a family’s background and experiences influence what you teach?
   7. How do you support families in your classroom?