Competencies of Early Childhood Workers

Education & Training Needed to Work with Young Children

High School Degree

* teacher’s aide or playground supervisor (CDA) Child Development Associate

Credential– National credential

* Postsecondary courses in child care education & demonstrated their ability to work with young children

CDA

6 CDA competency goals identify the skills needed by early childhood professionals

Goals are divided into 13 functional areas (describe major tasks by caregivers)

Must be 18 yrs. old and have a high school diploma

Must have a minimum number of hours of child care experience and have taken courses in early childhood education

Education & Training Cont’d..

Most jobs in this chapter require at least a 2 year degree in child development or a related field

Credential is not required if you have an associate or bachelor’s degree

Graduate degrees- consultants, researchers, and early childhood instructors or professors

Each state has different requirements

The Teacher’s Responsibilities

Majority of career opportunities will be as teachers or teacher’s aides

These jobs are needed for child care centers, preschools, Head Start programs. & early childhood programs in public or private schools

You will need to be a friend, colleague, counselor, janitor, nurse, decorator, safety expert, and even a cook on some days!

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… Challenging & Rewarding are two words

that can best describe the responsibilities of an early childhood teacher

Early childhood teachers usually feel useful, needed, and important

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To know how children grow and develop(knowing the principles of child development will

assist you in developing curriculum that is challenging and interesting without being difficult or discouraging) -ex. Temper tantrums

To plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum

(quality programs focus on the “whole child”) Physical, social, cognitive, and emotional

development are all emphasized

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To prepare the environment*preparing an inviting and stimulating

learning environment*must encourage children to

independently experiment, explore, and manipulate

*Lack of variety or quantity can lead to lags in development

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To communicate effectively

*Positive communication skills will help you form and maintain a close relationship with the children in your care

*Effective communication with the parents and colleagues

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To demonstrate teamwork

*Getting along with coworkers (making them feel important)

*accept their style of caregiving, praise them for meaningful interactions, recognize their feelings

*know how to resolve conflict

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To manage time wisely

*Time management skills

*Help you organize your time, set priorities, and distinguish between important and urgent matters

*Help you make choices wisely

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To participate in professional

organizations

*Help you keep up with current developments in the field (must be active)

(NAEYC)- National Association for the Education of Young Children (largest)

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To follow ethical standardsEthics- guiding set of moral principles

*Professional who follow the Code of Ethical Conduct ensure that programs for young children are based on the most recent knowledge of child development and early childhood education

*may involve sticky situations

The Teacher’s Responsibilities Cont’d… To continue to learn*Need to be a committed life long

learner

*conferences, in-service training, course work, journals, study groups, and books

Characteristics of Successful Teachers

Fondness for Children

Patience Compassion Confidence

Sense of Humor Commitment Personal desire Physical and

Mental Health