The first few years of a young child’s life, from birth to four years old, are very critical to his/her overall development, due to most of the time, teacher professionals are individuals who play the key and an active role in their early childhood development are teacher professionals who have a passion and a genuine desire to help them learn, grow and succeed in their education. These are just a few roles that early childhood educators plays in the field of early childhood education for working with young children in their early childhood years of life, which the requirements, most of the time, are to have both a formal education and passing teacher-certification score. The National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (1985) states they have changed professionalism over the past 60 years by working to promote high-quality early childhood programs for all young children and their families by working towards two major strands of activity to support this specific goal, which are: one, to facilitate the professional development of individuals working for and with young children birth through age eight and two, improving public understanding and support for high-quality early childhood programs”. The NAEYC has also made entrances available for individuals who want to receive either a, two- and four-year degree, by offering professional development training sessions, seminars and course work for student-teacher early childhood education professionals who are working an intern training position, under the leadership and guidance of both a mentor-teacher and their early childhood teacher education specialists; in which this type of training is based on the age and grade level of the children the mentor wants to teac... ... middle of paper ... ...cation of Young Children. Pg. 6. Retrieved from (http://content-asc.kaplan.edu/CE100_1303B/highresmedia/ce100_unit_7_reading_conceptual_framework_for_ec_prof_dev.pdf). National Association for the Education of Young Children. (1993). Conceptual Framework for Early Childhood Professional Development. A position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Pg. 7. Retrieved from (http://content-asc.kaplan.edu/CE100_1303B/highresmedia/ce100_unit_7_reading_conceptual_framework_for_ec_prof_dev.pdf). Phillips, C.B. (Ed.). (1991a). Essentials for Child Development Associates working with young children. Washington, DC: Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. Phillips, C.B. (1991b). Field advisor’s guide for the CDA Professional Preparation Program. Washington, DC: Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition.
A significant facet of an early childhood professional is the ability to work with families. This however can be an area in which many professionals entering into the field can feel inadequate. In order to fully support all areas of a child’s performance as a professional it is critical to work with their families. In order to effectively work with families, you must be able to understand the diversity and complexity of families.
Dr. Seuss wrote, “You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your Way”. The role of the early childhood educator, while rewarding, can sometimes feel as is you are climbing a mountain. Educators have to consider how to implement curriculum, instruction, management, and technology in the classroom. Educators also have to provide an environment where all children feel safe and nurtured. When creating a course of action, educators have to consider their role as well as the role of the student, parent, and community.
Meece L, D. D. (2008). Child and Adolescent Development for Educators. New York: Mc-Graw-Hill Companies.
White, K. (2014, February 9). Parent Handbook. Parent Handbook. Retrieved February 9, 2014, from http://www.childcare.uci.edu/handbook.php
In this reflective analysis of NAEYC Standard three, Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families, I will first reflect on my growth, as an early childhood professional, during my course of study. Secondly, I will address my strengths related to the standard and discuss areas in need of further professional development. Finally, I will outline my goals for future growth and development. Early childhood educators demonstrate professional competence by understanding the role of assessment and the various methods of assessing student learning, including observation, documentation and standardized testing. These assessment strategies, along with partnerships with parents, can support students in their development and growth, by informing instruction and evaluating instructional practices.
The Child Development Center of College of San Mateo provides early care and educational programs for children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old. Children are divided into classrooms with a “master” teacher, a “regular” teacher, and two or three “associate” teachers. Klara attended Classroom, “A,” a stimulating and well-resourced classroom. Klara was observed for two hours on Monday from 9 am to 11 am and for two hours on Wednesday from 9 am to 11 am. During these two hours, classroom activities consisted of “free time,” “story time,” and an outside “play time.” A “master” teacher, a “regular” teacher, and two “associate” teachers were present during observations. Additionally, a total of eighteen children were in attendance during the observed days.
Early childhood education, although constantly evolving, was actually established and practiced as early on as the times of Ancient Greece and Rome. The foundation that early childhood education is based upon is to instill in children the skills needed to succeed later on in life, while making sure young children enjoy their time in schooling. Throughout chapter 3 in the textbook Who Am I in the Lives of Children, the reader is capable of evaluating just how greatly the methods for teaching today’s youth have evolved and changed for the better.
McDevitt, T. M., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Child development and education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.
Eliason, C. F., Jenkins, L. (2008). A practical guide to early childhood curriculum (8th edition). New
How one plans to tackle all of the challenges will help them when making decisions in the future. To many people, early childhood education is unnecessary. I realize that going into this teaching field, I will most likely have to interact with adults who will argue that it is useless. There are a lot of thorny issues surrounding the professionalization of early childhood education (“The Challenges of Professionalizing ECE Workforce”). I am prepared to talk to adults about my beliefs and the importance of the program. As I go into this career with the knowledge of this, I will be more prepared on how to handle those who have a different opinion than I
Morrison, G. S. (1976). Chapter 6: Early Childhood Programs APPLYING THEORIES TO PRACTICE. In Early childhood education today (10th ed., pp. 5-31). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill.
Albrecht, K., & Miller, L. (2004). The comprehensive preschool curriculum. Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc.
Isenberg, J. P., & Jalongo, M. R. (2000). Exploring your role: A practitioner’s introduction to early childhood education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Early childhood education plays a key role in a child’s academic development because he or she learns soft skills, job skills, and develop positive traits. Preschool is not like kindergarten, but instead a stepping-stone that prepares young students for the years of schooling they will have later in life. As more schools began to open families wanted to be able to verify that programs would benefit and protect their children. In response, the National Association for the Education of Young Children was made to help families find the best care for their children, by providing the early childhood educators with training and ensuring the quality of children’s daily experiences. (“NAEYC”5).
There are many documented theories about early childhood development, contemporary research still concurs with some of these theories. It suggests, however, that we should be thinking more holistically, taking into consideration; respect for diversity, the wider community and equity, play based curriculums, intentional teaching and ongoing reflective practices when planning for optimal educational experiences for children (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, 2009). I acknowledge that ongoing professional learning and reflective practices are a key element of the Early Years Learning Framework (DEEWR, 2009). I accredit working and collaborating with other teachers, families and local communities collectively contribute