Professional Skills
During my practicum, I noticed a big change in my professional skills from the first day to the last. I made sure to be reliable, showing the team they could count on me. My communication skills grew a lot as I interacted with children, my mentor, and other staff, learning how to listen carefully and respond respectfully. I also took initiative whenever I could, whether that was joining in on play, helping set up activities, or stepping in to support the group when something unexpected happened. When I received feedback, I took the time to reflect on it and made changes to improve my practice. This helped me get better at problem solving and adapting in the moment, which made me feel more confident as part of the team.
Practical Skills
I learned how important it is to be responsive to children and build relationships through everyday interactions. I made sure to follow their cues, get involved in their play, and support them during transitions and routines. I helped with setting up materials and making sure the environment stayed safe and welcoming. Using ideas from the BC Early Learning Framework, I tried to encourage curiosity, play based learning, and a sense of belonging for each child. I also used what we learned in Child Guidance and Human Development to support positive behaviours and adjust my approach depending on the child’s needs. These experiences really showed me how the things we learn in class connect to real life situations, and by the end, I felt like I had a stronger understanding of what it means to be an early childhood educator.