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You: Working with Young Children
1 You: Working with Young Children
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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.
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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.
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Objectives List responsibilities of the early childhood teacher.
Determine personal characteristics that can help early childhood teachers care for and educate young children.
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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
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Social and Economic Changes
Changes in families Changes in employers’ attitudes Changes in education attitudes Educational studies Benefits to the economy
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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
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Discuss Why do you think the level of education of women impacts the need for child care teachers? List three reasons.
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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
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Brainstorm What are some of the payoffs companies receive when offering child care benefits to employees?
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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
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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
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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
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Benefits to the Economy
Early childhood programs influence tomorrow’s economy A sound investment Saves taxpayers future costs Pays great returns to children
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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
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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
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Kindergarten Teachers
Most states are providing opportunities to attend kindergarten Teachers are needed in public schools private schools
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Discuss What would be some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a family child care home business? Advantages Disadvantages
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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
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The Teacher’s Responsibilities
Know how children grow and develop Plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum Prepare the environment Communicate effectively Demonstrate teamwork continued
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The Teacher’s Responsibilities
Manage time wisely Participate in professional organizations Follow ethical standards Continue to learn
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Discuss How can professional organizations help you find career opportunities in the field?
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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
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To Continue to Learn Professional development is ongoing
Lifelong learners utilize conferences in-service training course work journals study groups books
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Characteristics of Successful Teachers
Fondness for children Patience Compassion Confidence Sense of humor Commitment Personal desire Physical and mental health
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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
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Patience Effective teachers allow children time to explore, solve problems, and create continued
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Patience Young children need to have extra time to complete tasks
have the opportunity to repeat tasks be able to repeat questions
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Personal Desire Knowing you really want to teach young children is important to your success Examine your interests feelings satisfactions
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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
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Did You Know? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow faster than average through 2018.
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Reflect What are some of the qualities you possess that would make you a good early childhood teacher?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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