you: working with young children 1 © goodheart-willcox co., inc. permission granted to reproduce...

You: Working with Young

Children

Key Concepts

Social and economic changes affect the growth of the child care profession.

Learning about the responsibilities and characteristics of child care teachers can help you decide if a career in this field is for you.

Objectives

Explain how social and economic changes will increase the need for child care services and early childhood teachers.

Describe career opportunities in the early childhood field.

Describe the CDA credential.

Objectives

List responsibilities of the early childhood teacher.

Determine personal characteristics that can help early childhood teachers care for and educate young children.

You: Working with Young Children

People considering early childhood careers often want to know if there will be a need for trained personnel what the job responsibilities are what personal characteristics are needed

Social and Economic Changes

Changes in families Changes in employers’ attitudes Changes in education attitudes Educational studies Benefits to the economy

Changes in Families

Married couplesare having

fewer childrenAlmost 75% of

children have parentsworking or

attending school

Many workingwomen are widowed,

divorced, single,or separated

Women areincreasinglycommitted to

careers

75% of childrenparticipate in a

preschool program

No longer have amother as

homemaker and afather as wage

earner

Many workingwomen are widowed,

divorced, single,or separated

Women arebecoming highly

educated

Discuss

Why do you think the level of education of women impacts the need for child care teachers? List three reasons.

Changes in Employers’ Attitudes

Corporate or employer-sponsored child care is growing On-site child care Referral service Sick child care Emergency backup arrangements Intergenerational care

Brainstorm

What are some of the payoffs companies receive when offering child care benefits to employees?

Changes in Education Attitudes

1970s Today

6% of children were cared for in child care centers

67% of children participate in an early childhood program

95% of the nation’sfive-year-olds attend kindergarten programs

Educational Studies

Studies have confirmed that the first five years of life are critical the benefits of early education are long-term early brain development depends on a

stimulating environment and nurturing

continued

Educational Studies

Children who receive early learning experiences are less likely to have behavioral problems be referred to special education

Many states introduced prekindergarten (PK) programs to support early learning

Benefits to the Economy

Early childhood programs influence tomorrow’s economy A sound investment Saves taxpayers future costs Pays great returns to children

Career Opportunities in Early Childhood

Nannies and au pairs Kindergarten teachers Early childhood assistant/associate teachers Child care teachers and directors Family child care home Licensing specialists Other career opportunities

Nannies and Au Pairs

A nanny provides care in a child’s home May live with the family May receive health insurance, paid holidays,

and room and board in addition to salary

An au pair is a person from a foreign country who lives with a family and performs tasks similar to those of a nanny

Kindergarten Teachers

Most states are providing opportunities to attend kindergarten

Teachers are needed in public schools private schools

Early Childhood Assistant and Associate Teachers

Early childhood assistants or associate teachers are hired to achieve the required adult-child ratios provide support to lead teachers

Assistant or associate positions may require specialized coursework or training CDA credential associate degree

Child Care Teachers and Directors

Child care teachers are responsible for planning curriculum teaching children

Child care directors are responsible for marketing the program recruiting children hiring and supervising staff managing the budget

Family Child Care Homes

Family child care homes provide child care for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 12 years

This type of care allows child care providers to work from home child care providers to care for their own children longer hours of operation homelike atmosphere

Licensing Specialists

Licensing specialists make visits to centers to observe if they follow the state licensing guidelines adult-child ratio size of the facility food service curriculum provided building safety and health practices

Other Career Opportunities

The field of early childhood offers a variety of positions Parent educator Community recreation leader Social workers Counselors and therapists Health care providers

continued

Other Career Opportunities

The field of early childhood also offers the ability to run your own business as an entrepreneur

Family child care home Consultants Store owners Designers of children’s products Entertainers

Discuss

What would be some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a family child care home business?

Advantages Disadvantages

Education and Training Needed to Work with Young Children

Education and Training Jobs

High school educationTeacher aid

Playground supervisor

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

, plus postsecondary education

Early childhood teacher

Bachelor’s degree Director of child care program

Graduate degree

Consultant

Researcher

Early childhood instructor

Professor

The Teacher’s Responsibilities

Know how children grow and develop Plan a developmentally appropriate

curriculum Prepare the environment Communicate effectively Demonstrate teamwork

continued

The Teacher’s Responsibilities

Manage time wisely Participate in professional organizations Follow ethical standards Continue to learn

To Know How Children Grow and Develop

This understanding helps teachers to prepare inviting and developmentally appropriate

environments design educational experiences to promote

growth develop curriculum that is challenging and

interesting without being difficult or discouraging work effectively with individuals and groups of

children

To Plan a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is a set of guidelines that focus on the outcomes of learning activities

Whole child programs focus on physical development social development cognitive development emotional development

To Prepare the Environment

Teachers prepare inviting and stimulating learning environments to encourage children to independently experiment, explore, and

manipulate materials engage in positive social activities develop physically, socially, cognitively, and

emotionally

To Communicate Effectively

As a teacher, positive communication skills help you to form and maintain a close relationship with the

children in your care exchange information with parents and

guardians form meaningful relationships with colleagues

To Demonstrate Teamwork

Staff in early childhood programs need to work as a team, which helps to make coworkers feel respected and important show empathy by recognizing others’ feelings share ideas and information encourage meaningful interactions with children resolve conflicts effectively

To Manage Time Wisely

Time management skills help teachers work smarter, not harder organize time set priorities distinguish between important and urgent

matters make good choices and use time wisely

To Participate in Professional Organizations

Professional organizations help you keep up with current developments in the field National Association for the Education of Young

Children (NAEYC) Family, Career and Community Leaders of

America (FCCLA) National Child Care Association National Head Start Association

Discuss

How can professional organizations help you find career opportunities in the field?

To Follow Ethical Standards

When working with young children, rely on your ethics to help make tough decisions Maintain the highest standards of professional

conduct Follow the code of ethical conduct created by

NAEYC for early childhood professionals Choose ethical behavior, which is not always

To Continue to Learn

Professional development is ongoing Lifelong learners utilize

conferences in-service training course work journals study groups books

Characteristics of Successful Teachers

Fondness for children

Patience Compassion Confidence

Sense of humor Commitment Personal desire Physical and

mental health

Fondness for Children

The most important trait of an early childhood teacher is fondness for children Establish rapport with children Make children feel understood and accepted Show love for each child Be kind, firm, and understanding

Patience

Effective teachers allow children time to explore, solve problems, and create

continued

Patience

Young children need to have extra time to complete tasks have the opportunity to repeat tasks be able to repeat questions

Compassion

Compassionate teachers accept others without prejudice Accept any emotion from others Are sensitive to both positive and negative

feelings Compliment children for their successes Avoid actions that make children feel worthless Help children understand feelings of others

Confidence

Having confidence in your abilities helps you relax in the classroom Have a calming effect on the children Make sensible decisions Stand by your choices so children accept them

Sense of Humor

Children enjoy adults who have a sense of humor Children relax and feel content Children tend to be more

positive and cheerful Work is more enjoyable You see the humor in situations You laugh with the children

Commitment

Meeting the demands of the field requires commitment Be an expert in child development, guidance,

and curriculum Keep up with current developments Be fully prepared for all activities Balance the pace of the activities Provide appropriate curriculum

Personal Desire

Knowing you really want to teach young children is important to your success Examine your

interests feelings satisfactions

Physical and Mental Health

Teaching young children is demanding physically and mentally

To be alert and able to multi-task, eat nutritious meals get enough sleep stay physically active learn to reduce stress

Did You Know?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow faster than average through 2018.

Reflect

What are some of the qualities you possess that would make you a good early childhood teacher?

Review

True or False. Social and economic changes in society continue to create a need for child care services.

Name five career opportunities in the early childhood field.

What are four characteristics of successful early childhood teachers?

Glossary

au pair. A person from a foreign country who lives with a family and provides child care in exchange for room, board, and transportation.

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. A national credential that requires postsecondary courses in child care education and a minimum number of hours of child care experience.

Glossary

developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). A set of guidelines that focus on the outcomes of learning activities.

early childhood. The period of life from birth to nine years of age.

entrepreneur. A person who creates and runs his or her own business.

Glossary

ethics. A guiding set of moral principles, either those held personally or those determined by a professional organization for its members.

licensing specialist. A person employed by a state to ensure that the state’s child care rules and regulations are followed.

Glossary

nanny: A child care worker who usually provides care in the child’s home and may receive food and housing in addition to wages.

Glossary

prekindergarten (PK). The full range of early childhood programs including school-based programs for three- and four-year-olds, preschool, child care, Head Start, and home-based child care. The goal is to enable every child with skills needed to succeed in school.

you: working with young children 1 © goodheart-willcox co., inc. permission granted to reproduce...

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