Write your professional philosophy statement for working with Preschool age children.Consider important aspects of pre-schoolers learning and development that we have been focusing on in the unit such as:- Relationships- Quality- Diversity and inclusion- Transition to school- Supporting pro-social competencies
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Professional Philosophy Statement for Working with Preschool Age Children
As an educator working with preschool-age children, my philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child is unique, capable, and deserving of a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. I am committed to fostering holistic development by prioritizing relationships, maintaining quality standards, celebrating diversity and inclusion, supporting the transition to school, and nurturing pro-social competencies in young learners.
Relationships:
I value the significance of building strong and positive relationships with each child in my care. By establishing a secure attachment with preschoolers, I create a foundation of trust, respect, and emotional support that enhances their overall well-being and learning experiences. I strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children feel safe, valued, and empowered to explore, learn, and grow.
Quality:
I am dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education that is developmentally appropriate, engaging, and innovative. I believe in creating stimulating learning environments that cater to the diverse needs and interests of preschoolers, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. By upholding standards of excellence in teaching practices, curriculum design, and classroom management, I aim to optimize each child’s potential and promote positive outcomes.
Diversity and Inclusion:
I embrace diversity as a cornerstone of early childhood education and celebrate the unique backgrounds, cultures, languages, and abilities of every child. I am committed to creating an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment where all children feel represented, respected, and valued. By incorporating diverse perspectives, materials, and experiences into the curriculum, I promote empathy, acceptance, and understanding among preschoolers, preparing them to thrive in a multicultural world.
Transition to School:
I recognize the importance of supporting preschoolers’ smooth transition to formal schooling by equipping them with the necessary skills, confidence, and resilience. I collaborate with families, educators, and community stakeholders to ensure continuity of learning and provide a seamless transition process that addresses children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical readiness for the next educational milestone. By fostering independence, self-regulation, and school readiness skills, I empower preschoolers to navigate the transition with ease and enthusiasm.
Supporting Pro-Social Competencies:
I prioritize the development of pro-social skills such as empathy, cooperation, communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution in preschool-age children. Through intentional teaching strategies, positive role modeling, and opportunities for peer interactions, I foster a sense of belonging, mutual respect, and social competence among young learners. By promoting prosocial behaviors and values, I cultivate a caring classroom community where children learn to collaborate, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships with their peers.
In conclusion, my professional philosophy for working with preschool-age children centers on creating a nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment that prioritizes relationships, quality education, diversity and inclusion, smooth transitions to school, and the development of pro-social competencies. By upholding these principles and values in my practice, I am dedicated to fostering the holistic development and well-being of every child in my care.
By integrating key aspects of preschoolers’ learning and development into a professional philosophy statement, educators can articulate their values, beliefs, and commitments to providing high-quality early childhood education.
