Teaching and Personal Beliefs  

Page 11

Our personal beliefs and values influence our perspectives on what is important, how we treat and interact with others, and how we spend our time.  Beliefs and values are influenced by our family, cultural background, and through our personal experiences, education, and influences of society. A value is a deeply held view of what we feel is important and worthwhile. A belief is a personal conviction that specific things are true and factual. ​ 

We all have core beliefs and values on how we view and interact with children. Our core beliefs and values affect how we make daily decisions including how we view and react to children’s behavior. Early childhood teachers need to be aware of the way their personal beliefs and values impact their behavior and interactions. Taking time to check initial reactions to situations, behaviors, and children is one way to ensure that our decisions are respectful, caring and appropriate to the situation. ​ 

Teachers apply beliefs and values in developing their classroom routines, activities, and responses to individual children. Young children are influenced by how teachers communicate, demonstrate caring, and respond to their behavior. Creating an environment of positive interactions and relationships is essential to a caring and responsive classroom. Communication and conversations between a teacher and the children are essential in building trusting teacher-child relationships. ​ 

Teachers that provide nurturing care and demonstrate acceptance of each child help develop children’s sense of competence and self-esteem.  Teachers can influence young children in developing appropriate behavior, understanding unacceptable behavior has consequences, and acquiring positive character traits. ​​ 

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Factors and Influences
3. Environmental Factors
4. Developing Social Behavior
5. Positive Social Characteristics
6. Fostering Positive Social 
7. Social Behavior (1/5)
8. Communication and Interactions  

9. Talking with Children (2/5)
10. Communication Strategies
11. Teaching and Personal Beliefs
12. Personal Beliefs (3/5)
13. Teaching Styles
14. Direct and Indirect Guidance 
15. Defining Guidance Terms
16. Mistaken Behavior 

17. Mistaken Behavior (4/5)
18. Causes of Behavioral Issues
19. Prevention: Indirect Guidance
20. Direct Guidance Techniques
21. End of Course Quiz (5/5)
22. Course Evaluation Form​
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