Child Development 65
Teacher Competencies
Child Development and Learning
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Know and understand developmental stages
Develop appropriate curriculum by age group
Provide developmentally appropriate procedures and rules
How to provide safe environment
How to include children with special needs
How to provide play activities for learning
How children express emotions
How children interact with each other
How to be a positive role model
How to support parents and families
Appropriate supervision
Understand different learning styles
Use positive guidance
Recognize how diverse backgrounds affect learning
Culture, Diversity and Equity
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Basic knowledge about different cultures and areas of diversity
Respect for diversity
Areas of diversity: culture, ability, language, religion, family makeup, gender roles
Different learning experiences representing diversity in the classroom
Invite parents into the classroom to share culture
Provide projects for parents and children to do at home that represent a holiday or special event
Know how to provide materials and supplies that represent diversity e.g. dolls, books,
instruments, dramatic play props, music
Provide different languages in books, displays, interactions
Provide inclusive classrooms
Relationships, Interactions and Guidance
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Interactions with families and staff
Be a good co-worker
Friendly
Assist each other
Know how to answer unexpected questions
Know how to invite parents to participate in class
Parent conferences
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Family activities
Staff meetings and conferences with coworkers
How to respond to strong emotions
Effective communicator
Positive guidance techniques
Respectful approaches to staff, parents and children
How to offer positive encouragement
Family and Community Engagement
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Provide community resources
Invite parents to volunteer and participate in the classroom
Know parents’ names and family background
Open-door policy
Parent education and training/workshops
Parent days, grandparent days, career days
Invite parents to share culture, customs, food
Encourage parents to become familiar with the parent board
Keep parents informed in many ways
Language translations
Plan parent and family events, conferences
Take children into the community when appropriate, bring the community into the classroom
when possible
Dual-Language Development
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Observation, Screening, Assessment and Documentation
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How to observe carefully
DRDP’s
How to do ages and stages observations
How to take anecdotal notes
Observe interactions
Collect children’s work and projects for their files (portfolios)
Parent conferences – keep them informed of progress and challenges
How to refer a child if there is an issue that needs a professional
Follow up with goals and activities
Keep notes
Plan – implement - evaluate
Special Needs and Inclusion
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Parent involvement with staff for setting goals
Staff having information from assessments and documentations
Staff contributes to individual assessments and IEPs
Children with disabilities are integrated with typically developing children
Regular meetings with all staff
Resources, guest speakers
Should be knowledgeable about special needs and inclusion programs
Set up classroom to meet the needs of all children
Respect for children with special needs
Know how to make a referral
Learning Environments and Curriculum
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Clean, safe environments
Furniture should be child sized and appropriate
Welcoming environment
Classroom divided into learning centers
Provide a variety of materials and experiences
Children engaged in organized activities
Interactions with teachers and other students
Base curriculum on the age and stage of the children
Classroom should reflect best practices (ECERS)
Playground should be safe, clean with appropriate outdoor activities
Health, Safety and Nutrition
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Proper sanitation procedures
Can recognize symptoms of illnesses, allergies, etc.
Knowledgeable about immunizations
First aid/CPR trained
Knows and follows licensing regulations
Knows emergency procedures
Can recognize hazardous environment and materials
Knowledge of resources for families for nutrition and health
Knows meal program guidelines and post for parents
Post allergies and information for substitutes and volunteers
Professionalism
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Go to workshops
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Take more classes – stay current in the field
Provide important information for coworkers
Have a good self-presentation/professional
Communicate well with staff and parents
Be organized and aware of ongoing needs of children
Neat, clean, organized environment
Know how to approach parents respectfully and professionally
Be a positive role model
Be consistent, punctual and present