1. 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. WELCOME TO CE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Unit 8 WELCOME TO CE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Unit 8

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 1-866- 522-7747

3. Weekly Announcements… PLEASE turn in your Unit 6 Project, if you have not already done so! I hope you all attended the Career Fair!? If so, please email me your synopsis and receive your 5 points extra credit! Please take a look at the Unit 9 project, and get an idea of what you want to do.

4. Wrapping up Unit 7… Are there any “Ah-Ha” moments you would like to share from unit 7, the importance of professional development?? Pease Share…

5. Let’s Dive in to Unit 8!

6. Advocacy and Critical Issues In this unit, you will review advocacy efforts on behalf of children and their families for the specific purpose of protecting children from abuse and neglect. You will read about how child abuse can be recognized and prevented. You will also discuss your responsibilities for keeping children protected as an Early Childhood Care Professional, and how to report child abuse in your state.

7. Learning Outcomes After completing this unit, you should be able to: Explain how to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect. Explain how to act as an advocate for children and their families.

8. Opening Statement Professional childcare providers and teachers are advocates for children. They dedicate themselves to providing a better future for our children.

9. Please share! What does the term advocacy mean? Children need advocates to speak for them and their families on many issues, can you list a few? What personal qualities do you feel you possess that would make you a successful advocate for children and their families?

10. On the Discussion Board… In this week’s reading, you went to the State Statutes Search web resource in the Child Welfare Information Gateway site and found information on the definitions of child abuse and neglect in your state. Use that information to share with your classmates the standards for reporting child abuse in your state, the person(s) considered responsible for children, and the exceptions your state considers.

11. Continued… Include the following in your post this week: Explain how to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect. Explain how to act as an advocate for children and their families. What are the standards for reporting child abuse in your state? According to the law in your state, who is (are) the person(s) responsible for the child? What exceptions does your state consider?

12. State Statutes Search Let’s take a field trip to our Unit 8 home page, readings tab. Please click on the State Statutes Search web resource, and click on your state. Take a few minutes to check out your state’s statutes, when you are done, please report on the following: 1.Your State 2.Please share one state statute that stood out to you in this search.

13. We have a BIG job! The work of a childcare professional is never done! There is so much more to caring for children than what most people do each day. There are too many of children in our cities, state, and country that are: homeless, hungry, unhealthy, abused and or neglected. Children are unable to defend themselves, so we must act on their behalf. Do you agree?

14. What does the NAEYC say? As the nation’s largest organization of early childhood professionals and others dedicated to improving the quality of early childhood programs, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is committed to safeguarding the well-being of all children. NAEYC recognizes that early childhood professionals and programs play an important role in preventing—not just reporting— child abuse and neglect.

15. The NAEYC’s Position Statement The NAEYC’s position statements “Prevention of Child Abuse in Early Childhood Programs and the Responsibilities of Early Childhood Professionals to Prevent Child Abuse” (1996) and “Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment” (2005) and other NAEYC publications clearly outline that early childhood programs and professionals should:

16. Position Statement… 1. Adopt policies and practices that promote close partnerships with families. 2. Promote standards of excellence for early childhood programs. 3. Provide families a variety of supportive services. 4. Advocate for children, families, and teachers in community and society. 5. Collaborate with other professionals in the community. 6. Understand their legal and ethical obligation to recognize and report suspicions of abuse.

17. Scope of the problem… In 2007, almost 800,000 children were victims of maltreatment—various forms of abuse and neglect. Maltreatment causes stress that can disrupt early brain development. Children who have been abused are at higher risk for health problems as adults, including depression, eating disorders, alcoholism, and certain chronic diseases. Children of all races and ethnicities experience child abuse. Children of all ages experience abuse, but children under 4 are at greatest risk for severe injury and death from abuse. Most abuse happens within families, especially families in which there is a great deal of stress. (CDC 2009)

18. Recognizing Signs of Abuse The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination

19. Continued… If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. Some people (typically certain types of professionals) are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment under specific circumstances—these are called mandatory reporters. For more information, see the Child Welfare Information Gateway publication, Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect.

20. The Child… Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen Lacks adult supervision Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

21. The Parent… Shows little concern for the child Denies the existence of—or blames the child for— the child's problems in school or at home Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

22. Types of Abuse… physical abuse neglect sexual abuse emotional abuse It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

23. Your Thoughts! What is your thought on the following statement? Professional childcare providers and teachers are advocates for children. They dedicate themselves to providing a better future for our children. Jump in!

24. Unit 9 Project… Your Unit 9 Project is an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and strategies that you explored this term. For this project, you will imagine that you are working in an early childhood program. Your childcare director is impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge that you have been displaying since you returned to college, and he has asked you to present a brief overview to your colleagues of what you have been learning. 12 Slide PowerPoint (PPT) presentation 2.Prepare a 2-sided newsletter/brochure 3.Record a 5-8 minute video 4.Write a minimum 3-page essay.

25. In your project you will need to… provide a short summary of the learning activity that you have highlighted for each unit. discuss how your learning is relevant to your career goals. share examples of the relevance of your learning to a career in the field of child development. follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation).

26. Weekly Reminders Browse Web Resource Post to Discussion Threads Attend seminar or complete seminar option 2 Complete Graded Review Begin working on the Unit 9 Project Complete Missing Assignments

27. References Follari, L. M., (2007). Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education. Prentice Hall. Please include a reference page at the end of your Power Point or paper for unit 9’s project. Thank you!

28. Thank you! Thank you for joining me! It has been a pleasure share with you again this evening! If you need anything… email me!

29. 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 http://www.clipart.com http://www.clipart.com