1. CE101 Unit 7 Seminar Professional Training Children learn more from what you are than what you teach. ~ W. E. B. Dubois
Class will start at the top of the hour!
Please turn the volume up on your
computer speakers to access the
audio feature of this seminar.

2. Audio Check
I am aware that many of you are new to online learning and to using computers, so before we get started… lets conduct a quick audio check. If you can’t hear me, please confirm that the volume on your speakers are on and if you have external speakers confirm that they are plugged in. If you can’t hear me, please try logging out and back in. This often fixes the problem. If this does not work – please call Tech Support at

3. Announcements
Thank you for getting your Unit 6 Project in to me on time. If you have not turned this project in, please get it to me as soon as possible!
If you have any missing assignments in the grade book, please submit them as soon as possible. Late work is always better than a zero!
Please me if you have any specific questions,

4. Thoughts, comments, or “Ah-Ha” moments for Unit 6?
Before we dive into Unit 7, do you have anything you would like to share about Unit 6?

5. On the Discussion Board
This week, to further your understanding about the importance of continuing your professional development, you read about professional development in an NAEYC article titled "Building Better Futures for Children and the Profession." You also gained information regarding financial aid available to early childhood care professionals and explore early childhood conferences. You will use that information to participate in this week’s discussion.
Share your opinion about how professional development improves the career of an early childhood care professional.
Explain the importance of ongoing professional development for an early childhood care professional.
Compare the benefits of different types of professional development. In addition, look at the bottom of the article and share with your classmates what you have found out about financial aid available for early childhood care education and professional development.
Then, search for a conference that might interest you. Post a brief description of the conference you find most interesting. What might you find useful at the conferences selected by your classmates?

6. Professional Development
In this unit, you will learn about the importance of professional training, professional associations and affiliates. You will also learn about the necessity of continuing education as an Early Childhood Care Professional.

7. Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to: Explain the importance of ongoing professional development for an Early Childhood Care Professional. Compare benefits of different types of professional development.

8. What all early childhood professionals must know and be able to do:
demonstrate an understanding of child development and apply this knowledge in practice
observe and assess children's behavior in planning and individualizing teaching practices and curriculum;
establish and maintain a safe and healthy environment for children;
plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum that advances all areas of children's learning and development, including social, emotional, intellectual, and physical competence.

9. ECE Professional Knowledge:
establish supportive relationships with children and implement developmentally appropriate techniques of guidance and group management;
establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with families;
support the development and learning of individual children, recognizing that children are best understood in the context of family, culture, and society; and
demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and make a commitment to professionalism.

10. Professional Development and your education:
One of the best starting points is to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential: This educational program was created to improve child-care in general and your skills in particular. Obtaining a CDA credential provides formal knowledge about the best and most modern child-care practices along with solid understanding of child development. You can use a CDA credential as the basis for further early-childhood education or as a qualification to work in a center-based childcare facility or preschool.

11. Let’s Take a Field Trip!
It’s your favorite time of the night…hope you brought your sack lunch and permission slip! Please open a new browser window and copy this link into the tab. This is an informative video on the importance of professional development in our field of education. We will meet back here in 5 minutes to discuss. Enjoy!

12. Any Thoughts…?
Please take a moment to share your thoughts on the video and how it relates to being a professional in the ECE field.
Why is professional development important for educators?

13. The Child Development Associate (CDA)
The CDA credential was developed in the 1970s as a way to insure that families could obtain consistent, quality childcare for their children in a variety of settings. During this period, it became clear that young children benefited from organized, developmentally-appropriate experiences that might not always be available strictly in their homes.

14. Please Share! Does anyone currently have a CDA? If so, please share!
Was having a CDA beneficial for obtaining employment in the ECE field?

15. History of the CDA
The CDA (Child Development Associate) Program was a response to two social issues:
First, new programs needed a large number of new educators.
Second, helping to improve the economic circumstances of families in poverty could be based on existing parenting skills, providing parents with professional work

16. Benefits of obtaining a CDA
As a certified professional, you have job opportunities in a steadily-growing field. Whether you decide to work in a childcare center, develop your own daycare business, or work as a home-visitor for a social service agency, you will be on your way.
You don’t have to stop at a CDA, working towards a Bachelors, a Masters, or even your Doctorate in ECE education will only further enhance your career and those you teach!
Always remember…we are Lifetime Learners!

17. Continuing Education Units…
CEUs are nationally recognized measures of lifelong learning credit (not degree credit) and are based on the number of contact hours taken for a course.
CEUs cannot be applied toward a degree program, but they can be useful in maintaining certification or licensure in certain careers. They may also be useful in documenting continuing professional education for an employer. Criteria for CEUs vary and are usually based on attendance or competencies or both.

18. More about CEU’s… One Continuing Education Unit (1.0) is defined as:
"Ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction."

19. Lets Share
Why is professional development important? Have you ever attended a professional development training? Do you attend Student Learning Communities offered by our department? What is the difference between a CEU and a CDA? Are they both college credits?

20. Weekly Reminders Browse Web Resource Complete Discussion Questions
Post to Classmates
Attend Seminar or complete Seminar option
Look Ahead at the Unit 9 Project
Complete Graded Review
Check grade book to see if you have any missing assignments and get them turned in as soon as you can.
questions, concerns, etc.

21. If you ever need anything… email me!
Thank you!
Thank you for joining me! It has been a pleasure share with you again this evening!
If you ever need anything… me!
See you next Wednesday!
See upi next week!

22. References
Follari, L. (2010). Foundations and best practices in early childhood education: History, theories, and approaches to learning. Boston: Pearson.
Jupiter Images Corporation, (2010). Clipart.com. Retrieved May 10, 2010 from
A Conceptual Framework for Early Childhood Professional Development, NAEYC official website
CDA Credential Requirements | eHow.com

23. References http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/cpe/ceu.cfm