Jackie Banach

Objective

  believe that all children are capable of learning as long as a caregiver can provide a safe and stimulating environment. I believe that children should have the freedom to express themselves as long as a caregiver can provide a variety of mediums and outlets for children to explore. One the most important things that I like to give to children is the opportunity to play and create art as an avenue to learn about their world.

How I believe children learn:

Children learn by exploring the world around them so it is crucial to provide a child with a stimulating environment. With this in mind a child will begin to use all their senses and begin developing their mental, physical, social-emotional domains. Children develop their mental domain by problem solving and practicing strategies. Some examples would be math, puzzles, and science experiments. Children develop their physical domains by practicing their gross and fine motor skills. A child develops gross motor skills by doing physical activity that requires the use of their whole body or large muscles. Some examples of gross motor activities are exercise, dancing, climbing, and running on the play ground. A child develops fine motor skills by using small muscles such as fingers. Some examples of fine motor activities are painting, writing, tying, or manipulating clay. Children also develop their social-emotional domains which is important for their self-esteem and wellbeing. By encouraging and teaching children how to self regulate and respect others they can feel good about themselves. By putting children in classrooms they are around other children which encourage and build language. One of my beliefs that I have learned is that children want to learn and we should listen to their interests. Children love to play and they are learning as they play. By creating an environment with activities that encourage children’s thinking and interest they can play and learn better.

Children at ages (0-8) explore their world through their senses and are generally curious about their world but follow their own interests. Children grow, develop, and learn at different stages so its important caregivers know individual differences. Children are motivated by what they see and hear from caregivers. Children’s behaviors often resemble those of their caregiver so it is important that the caregivers are modeling positive behaviors and evaluating their own behaviors. Children need to have their needs met in order to learn and behave. Each individual child comes from a different culture, family, and economic status that place great value on how the child develops, learns, and behaves which should be respected. 

How do young children grow, develop and learn:

An infant is at the first stages of developing fine and gross motor skills. Since an infant cannot talk, he or she communicates by cries or coos. An infant likes to put things in his or her mouth to learn what it is.  In similarity a toddler also likes to put things in their mouth to learn what they are. However a toddler can already walk and is beginning to learn words. A toddler will often begin pointing to things they want in order communicate. Toddlers also learn by picking up objects and throwing them again. Children ages 3-5 years old have self awareness and have developed language. They focus on developing their vocabulary and learn the importance of rules for themselves and the importance of others. Children at ages 6-8 begin to think abstractly and are already aware of rules and expectations. Infants and toddlers model the behaviors of people closest to them. Those closest people to them are their caregivers and it is their responsibility to make sure the children’s’ needs are met and their environment is safe in order for them to learn. If a child is not nourished and not protected than learning simply cannot take place because the child is scared, tired, and hungry.

What motivates young children’s behaviors? (Why do they behave the way that they do:

Caregivers such as parents and teachers motivate children’s behaviors. An infant and toddler are always watching their caregivers so it is important that the caregiver is consistent with their modeling behavior. Young children may not understand that they are doing an unwanted behavior so it’s important that the caregiver stops the behavior and also modifies their own behavior if it is influential. Young children like ages 3-5 are beginning to learn the importance of rules and what they are. Children at ages 3-5 have self awareness and begin learning that they and others must follow the same rules which ultimately means they are learning respect. Sometimes children need to be reminded what the rules are and for this reason they will behave based on how well their needs are met. Older children are aware of their behaviors and know expectations from others. Unwanted behaviors in older children are often acted out for many of the same reasons as younger children. If a child’s needs are not being met or they are not taught what is appropriate then it is expected that unwanted behaviors will be present. It is also important that the caregiver is actively involved in the child’s life to provide attention. The more time that is spent with the child, the more a child feels comfortable to self regulate and learn.

What are the implications of culture for how children develop learn and behave:

Different cultures mean that children develop and learn at different rates. In some cultures certain behaviors are acceptable while in others they are not so it is important that a teacher can identify culture differences and respect them.

Children at ages (0-8) explore their world through their senses and are generally curious about their world but follow their own interests. Children need to have their needs met in order to learn and behave. Motivation to learn and behavior are often modeled by those who spend the most time with the children. Each individual child learns at a different pace and this is usually due to development, culture, family structure, and economic status. Caregivers place great value on how the child develops, learns, and behaves within our own culture and other cultures and should be respected. 

Work Experience

Education

Skills

I'm very artistic and enjoy art and photography which I incorporate into my presentations, documentations, and activities with children providing reading activities based on child's reading level large and fine motor activities I am able to find assessments and use them to create a curriculum that fits the needs of each individual child

Computer Skills: Word PowerPoint Photo Story 3 Smart Board Promethean

Foreign Language Skills: I speak Polish

Additional Information

******References******** Mrs. Gloria Gryzik Head coordinator of SPARK dist 62 Cell: (847) 420-4760 Years known: 5 years Mr. Rene Carranza Principle at Plainfield School dist 62 Work Phone: (847) 824 1366 Years known: 4 years Mrs. Julie Murray 2nd grade teacher at Betsy Ross School dist 63 Cooperating teacher during internship Known: 4 months jmurray@d23.org (224) 722- 2306

Certifications or Licensures: CPR First Aid

Interests

I love doing art activities with children

I enjoy drawing and painting

I enjoy being outside and taking long walks

I enjoy shopping

I enjoy spending time with family and friends

I am actively involved in the Des Plaines community and have volunteered for the 4th of July parade and the Taste of Des Plaines