Chapter 2 Early Childhood Education Today Understanding and Responding to Current Issues

T 2.2 Focus Questions What are some critical, contemporary issues that influence the practice of early childhood education? What can I do to accommodate cultural diversity in my classroom? How can I prevent violence and bullying in my classroom? How can I be politically aware and keep current in the rapidly changing field of early childhood education?

Issues Influencing the Practice of Early Childhood Education Changing Families Working Parents Fathers Single Parents Teenage Parents Wellness and Healthy Living Illnesses Obesity Poverty

Providing for Cultural Diversity Multicultural infusion Foster cultural awareness Use appropriate instructional materials Accommodating Diversity: Autism Spectrum Disorder Diversity Multicultural Awareness

Violence, Bullying and Abuse T 2.5 Violence, Bullying and Abuse Violence Prevent/reduce violence in children’s lives Bullying Talk, walk, squawk Childhood Abuse and Neglect Reporting child abuse Seeking help

Federal and State Involvement in Early Childhood Programs Increased funding of early childhood programs No Child Left Behind Act (Public Law 107–110 Focused attention on developing educational and social programs to serve young children and families Preschool programs in public schools

New Directions in Early Childhood Education Full-day, full year services School readiness Support for whole child education Early literacy learning Increased use of technology The politicalization of early childhood education