You: Working with Young Children 1 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. continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

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

Growing Cultural Diversity Dramatic growth in cultural diversity Number of children from multicultural families increasing Some ethnic groups growing faster than others

Changes in Families Changes in Families Married couples are having fewer children Almost 75% of children have parents working or attending school Many working women are widowed, divorced, single, or separated Women are increasingly committed to careers 75% of children participate in a preschool program No longer have a mother as homemaker and a father as wage earner becoming 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 Today 6% of children were cared for in child care centers 67% of children participate in an early childhood program 95% of the nation’s five-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 Prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers Early childhood assistant/associate teachers Child care teachers and directors Family child care 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

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Teachers Most states are providing opportunities to attend pre-K and 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 Family child care provides 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 Consultants Store owners Designers of children’s products Entertainers

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

Education and Training Needed to Work with Young Children Jobs High school education Teacher 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 and Leadership 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 easy

Did You Know? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow faster than average through 2022.

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

Reflect What are some of the qualities you possess that would make you a good early childhood teacher? oliveromg/Shutterstock.com

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?