Welcome
“The degree to which I can create relationships, which facilitate the growth of others as separate persons, is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself.”
― Carl R Rogers.
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It is my pleasure to welcome you to my e-Portfolio, the final stage in fulfilling the graduating requirements in this Master's of Education in Early Childhood Education program. My name is Bonnie Laverty and in my professional role I am an Infant and Child Development Consultant and Community Educator. Relationships are at the heart of what drives me; building them, nurturing them and most importantly tending to their healing when needed. My desire to strengthen and protect relationships especially during times of stress, has led me to examine my own ability to identify and manage stressors; to tend to my own social and emotional abilities. The insight gained through this-ongoing- process has not only furthered my ability to relate and connect to the families with whom I work but has also provided the inspiration for the direction of my capstone project.
In my pursuit to increase my understanding around social and emotional development, it has become clear to me that this growth must all begin, and is rooted in, the context of relationships. When we are able to identify and manage our own feelings, thoughts and behaviors, we are then able to attune with another and provide the support they need when overwhelmed or stressed; we are able to co-regulate. Tending to our own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate is the most selfless act a parent, educator or caregiver can perform.
As I look back on my journey through this master’s program, I can see how each course, each conversation and each call to demonstrate my learning, have helped to expand my perspective. To view the courses completed throughout my master's program, click here.
I have felt challenged to re-examine my practice as an educator, and to contemplate the impact I may have through the therapeutic use of self on the relationships I enter. My commitment to this is reflected in each of the goals identified for this body of work and validated through the artifacts created throughout this masters program.
My Learning Metaphor, guiding the imagery of this project is : 'Co-regulation is the Root of Social and Emotional Development'. I hope that as you explore my site this collection of work will plant some seeds of thought about how to cultivate and nurture the roots of your own social and emotional well-being.
Navigating this e-Portfolio
Double click on any of the tabs on the menu at the top to explore page by page. You can also use the hyperlinks on each page to move around the site and they can also provide you access to more in-depth resources. The Proposal page will serve as a good starting place for understanding the influences, rationale and passion guiding the focus of my study. I hope the imagery shared on the Learning Metaphor page will bring further meaning and enhance your understanding of my project . I invite you to explore this representation of my learning through the three Goals, each of which is supported by Artifacts created throughout the course of this program. To see the Courses Completed through this program, just click on the drop down menu on the Home page, and to learn more about the personal experiences that brought me to this place in my learning, visit the About Me page.
Enjoy!