Continuity and Change in Early Childhood Education Chapter 1

Describe some of your values/opinions about early childhood:

I. Definitions A. Early childhood education is a diverse field that serves children from birth to age eight. B. NAEYC: stands for National Association for the Education of Young Children. *It is the largest organization of early childhood educators. *It sets standards for programs and teacher preparation. *Sponsors voluntary Accreditation System – primary focus is the children Describe at least 2 ideas about NAEYC in your own words Test Question

C. Early Childhood Education is on the rise because policy makers, parents and researchers consider it essential to foster school readiness and long-term success in life. What does this statement mean to you?

D.Early Childhood Groups *Infants and toddlers, birth to 36 months *Preschoolers: 3 and 4 year olds *Kindergarteners: 5 and 6 year olds *Primary Grades: 1,2,& 3

II. Early Childhood Educators A. Need to be intentional teachers. B. This means they have a purpose for what they do and can explain that purpose. * are committed and engaged *They are patient and responsive *They are playful and flexible Write two of these ideas that you had not thought of before Why is this important? Test Question

III. Types of Early Childhood Settings A.SCHOOLS: Children in Kindergarten to 3 rd grade Public Schools Charter Schools Private Schools Independently operated, publically funded, greater flexibility, parents can choose Privately owned, Montessori and Challenger are examples Test Question

B.Preschools: children 3,4, and 5 years old Can be Private or Public Prekindergartens (Pre-K) Parent Cooperatives Laboratory Schools 3 & 4 Year olds, usually in public school Owned, operated and partially staffed by parents Operated by colleges, model for student teachers We are a Lab School

C. Head Start/Early Head Start 3 facts you did not know Helps infants, toddlers and families Income eligible families 3, 4, 5 year olds in centers and home based programs Provides education, health, nutritional, social and other services Purpose is to promote school readiness Federally funded for low income families Test Question

D.Family Child Care Homes *Care given in private home, small group of children *Setting of choice for parents of infants and toddlers *Birth through school age *Individuals and groups

E.Child Care Centers: Group program to provide care while parents are at work * For profit or nonprofit *Infants and toddlers *Ages 3,4,5 *Before and after school for school age children Describe 2 facts Test Question

IV. Regulation of Childcare Facilities *NACCRRA (National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies) *Standards vary from state to state *NACCRRA concludes that state standards fall short in providing basic protection for children’s health and safety and promoting development Test Question

V. Special Needs Children A.Inclusion: services for children with disabilities and specials needs in a setting where their typically developing peers are served. Describe inclusion in your own words Test Question

VI. Brain Research A.First three years of life critical B.Positive experiences literally grow babies brains C.Negative experiences (abuse, prolonged stress) have dire consequences for brain development D.Early intervention can ameliorate (improve) negative affects In your own words, describe two ideas you had not heard of.

VI. Participation in Early Childhood programs A.Has steadily increased B.In % of 5 year olds attended kindergarten C. In 2011 almost 95% attend kindergarten Test Question

D.Access to Early Childhood Programs: Those most likely to benefit are least likely to participate STATISTICS: *Children living in poverty less likely to attend than middle income children *Not enough slots for all low income children *Families with moderate income don’t qualify for Head Start and can’t afford private *Mother’s education and ethnicity affects participation Why do you think this is true? Describe 2 statistics in your own words

**Chicago Child-Parent Centers: *Provide preschool and kindergarten for low income families *Give continued support and intervention in early elementary school *Result: higher school achievement, better social adjustment, lower dropout rates

***Perry Preschool Project *Began in early 1960’s *First study to demonstrate lasting effects of high quality preschool education on educational and economic outcomes Test Question Explain what the Perry Preschool Project is in your own words.

E.Achievement Gap: *Difference in achievement between African American and Latino children and their white peers REASONS: *race and ethnicity are strongly associated with socioeconomic status *Inequity in socioeconomic status is most important predictor of child’s cognitive skills *Children who begin school behind tend to stay behind Describe 1 reason in your own words. Test Question

VIII. CONCLUSIONS Today there is more focus on: Standards and Accountability Increased Teacher Qualifications Scientifically based practices

Describe the most interesting thing you learned from this.