Early Childhood Development: A Field of Study Basic Concepts, Skills, & Issues

Review Unit 4: In Unit 4 you designed a customized Educational Plan designed to meet your personal career goals. The plan included choosing elective courses based on the knowledge & skills required to qualify for the job/s of your career goal. Now you begin to further identify and gain the knowledge & skills that apply to all early childhood professionals.

Unit 5: A Beginning look… The Field of Early Childhood Development Core Concepts & Skills Vocabulary Current Issues Connecting personal interests & talents with professional identities, values and goals.

Child Care: Core Concepts Early Childhood Theory & Developmentally Appropriate Practices are used to maximize the growth & development of the ‘whole’ child - in all learning domains - in a safe, enriched environment. Assessment is in place to evaluate progress. Diversity/ individuality is recognized, developed, and respected. Advocacy for the rights of children and families is fundamental. Parent Communication is primary. EC Professional = life-long learner.

DAP: an overview DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practices) means both meeting the needs of individual children and enabling each child to reach individual goals that both challenging and achievable. DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practices) takes into account the interests, abilities, and skill level of both individuals and group dynamic. All teaching strategies should be appropriate to the age and developmental status of the children; attuned to each as a unique individual; and responsive to social and cultural context in which they live.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice does not mean making things easier for a child; rather, ensuring that goals & experiences are matched to their interests/ abilities and challenging enough to promote progress. Best Practice is based on knowledge; on theories of how children develop – not on assumption. Research guides accepted principles in human development; which along with evidence about curriculum & teaching effectiveness, form a solid base for decision making in Early Childhood Education.

Building a Professional Network Search out professional organizations like N.A.E.Y.C. (National Association for the Education of Young Children) affiliates, C.C.R.R. (Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies), NACCRRA (National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies), etc. (check list posted in Doc Sharing) Support the creation of consistent professional development policies in your state & participate in local/ state professional development offerings, conferences, workshops, events. Consider volunteering in local EC centers, programs. Form partnerships with other EC Professionals.

Child Care Glossary: Take 10 The Unit 5 Readings include a PDF file of common words used in the area of Child Care. Take 10 minutes to review this glossary and return prepared to share a word, term, or abbreviation that’s new to you. Link below… OR go into the course Unit 5 Readings, OR type childcareaware_glossary in web search. Link:

Share a Definition Please present a word, term, or abbreviation from your search - or if you prefer any word representative of early childhood education theory or practice.

My term: Defining the Zone Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development SHOW ME — HELP ME — LET ME Read to me Teach new skill Teach new concept Review topics Take field trips Demonstrate Observe me Coach me Encourage me Help as needed Provide example Provide: Reading Centers Writing Centers Science Centers Math Centers Related props Creative tools, materials, Books that interest me and meet my skill level

Wrap Up “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh