1. TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN Chapter 1 Overview of the Profession

2. The Five Essentials of Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Teaching and Learning Understanding Children and Their Development Guide Social and Emotional Development Work with Parents, Families, and the Community Understand and Respect Diversity Provide Opportunities to Play

3. Early Childhood Programs Infant/Toddler – Birth – 2 years – Fastest growing Preschool – Ages 3-5 (sometimes 2 year olds) – Became popular in 1920’s – Most half-time or less – Often combined with child care Child Care – Full Day – Variety of types (see pgs 11 - 12)

4. Early Childhood Programs (cont) Programs for Children w/ Special Needs – Public Law (PL) 94-142 (see pg 13) Enacted in the mid-1970’s Later revised to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Starting at birth, all children with disabilities entitled to free, appropriate, public education – Early Intervention Programs Kindergarten – Only 16 states require K attendance – Traditionally half-day, play-oriented – 12 states require districts to offer full-day Primary Education – Grades 1-3

5. Kindergarten State & District Requirements 2012 – http://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_3.asp http://nces.ed.gov/programs/statereform/tab5_3.asp In Finland, children don’t start school until they are 7 years old – http://wrac.msu.edu/2013/01/26/from-business-insider-26- amazing-facts-about-finlands-unorthodox-education-system/ http://wrac.msu.edu/2013/01/26/from-business-insider-26- amazing-facts-about-finlands-unorthodox-education-system/ Early Learning: Kindergarten Online Database – http://www.ecs.org/html/educationIssues/Kindergarten/KDB_in tro_SF.asp http://www.ecs.org/html/educationIssues/Kindergarten/KDB_in tro_SF.asp “Requiring Kindergartners to Read May Harm Some” – http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer- sheet/wp/2015/01/13/report-requiring-kindergartners-to-read- as-common-core-does-may-harm-some/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer- sheet/wp/2015/01/13/report-requiring-kindergartners-to-read- as-common-core-does-may-harm-some/

6. Types of Funding For-Profit – Run as a business Cooperative – Parents are assistant teachers Federally Funded – Head Start & Early Head Start State and Locally Funded Corporate Child Care College- and University-Supported

7. Roles of the Early Childhood Educator Facilitator of Learning Counselor Janitor Cook Educational Specialist Parent Substitute – Love, guidance, encouragement, assistance, and modeling

8. Responsibilities of the Early Childhood Educator Advocate – Importance of early years – Powerless children and families – Low priority of early education and care Continuing Education – Classes, workshops, literature, etc. Know and Follow Shared Code of Ethics – National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Guidelines

9. NAEYC Code of Ethics Ethical Responsibilities to… Children – Safe, healthy, nurturing and responsive settings Families – Communication, cooperation, and collaboration Colleagues – Establish and maintain supportive relationships Community & Society – Provide programs that meet diverse needs of community

10. Skills Needed to Teach Young Children Interacting with Children – Communication Preparing the Environment – Carefully organize and plan for materials Working with Other Adults – Other teachers, aides, administrators, parents, and community members

11. Professional Preparation Levels of Teaching – Assistant Teacher – Head Teacher – Supervisor Professional Organizations – NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children – ACEI (Association for Childhood Education International)

12. Professional Preparation (cont) CDA Credential – Non-degree – Demonstrate competencies in six areas Two-Years – Associate Degree Four-Years – Bachelor Degree Masters and Doctoral Programs