1. Communication.. Key to working with children
Edited by Dr. Vivian G. Baglien
as adapted from Dr. Yvonne Gentzler

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Discuss
How can professional organizations help you find career opportunities in the field?

7. 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

8. NAEYC; code of ethical conduct
• Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of
the human life cycle
• Base our work on knowledge of how children develop
and learn
• Appreciate and support the bond between the child
and family
• Recognize that children are best understood and supported
in the context of family, culture,* community, and
society
• Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each
individual (child, family member, and colleague)
• Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
• Recognize that children and adults achieve their full
potential in the context of relationships that are based
on trust and respect

9. To Continue to Learn Professional development is ongoing
Lifelong learners utilize
conferences
in-service training
course work
journals
study groups
books

10. Characteristics of Successful Teachers
Fondness for children
Patience
Compassion
Confidence
Sense of humor
Commitment
Personal desire
Physical and mental health

11. 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

12. Patience
Effective teachers allow children time to explore, solve problems, and create
continued

13. Patience Young children need to have extra time to complete tasks
have the opportunity to repeat tasks
be able to repeat questions

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Personal Desire
Knowing you really want to teach young children is important to your success
Examine your
interests
feelings
satisfactions

19. 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

20. Did You Know?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow faster than average through 2018.

21. Reflect
What are some of the qualities you possess that would make you a good early childhood teacher?

22. 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?

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.