You: Working with
Young Children
Chapter 1
Adapted from “Working with Young Children” by Judy Herr
Chapter Vocabulary
• Early childhood
• Prekindergarten
(PK)
• Nanny
• Au pair
• Licensing specialist
• Entrepreneur
• Child Development
Associate (CDA)
Credential
• Developmentally
appropriate
practice (DAP)
• Ethics
What is early childhood?
• Covers the period from birth to nine years
of age
• During this time, growth is very rapid
• Child develops a sense of self, as well as
language, cognitive, social, emotional,
problem-solving and social skills
Popularity of early
childhood programs
• In the 1970s, only 6% of children were
cared for in child care centers
• Today, 67% participate in an early
childhood program
• 95% of the nation’s five-year-olds attend
kindergarten programs for at least ½ the
day
Social and Economic
Changes
• Various changes
will affect the
need for and
structure of child
care services.
• These changes
include:
– Families
– Employers’
attitudes
– Education attitudes
– Educational studies
– Benefits to the
economy
Changes in Families
• Dramatic change in the
past 25 years
• Many families need a
second paycheck
• Women are becoming more
highly educated
• Women are demonstrating
an increased commitment
to work
• Couples are having fewer
children
• Young adults are getting
married later in life
• Families see the value of
having children attend an
early childhood program
Changes in Employers’
Attitudes
• Corporate/employersponsored child care is one
of the fastest growing
types of child care
• By providing some type of
child care benefit,
companies see an increase
in
– Recruitment
– Morale
– productivity
• Absenteeism is reduced
• Better public relations
• Tax benefits
• Ease of scheduling
• Improved quality of
workforce
Changes in Education
Attitudes
• Parents are becoming more aware of their
children’s developmental needs
• As a result, they are seeking quality environments
that promote their children’s growth and
development
• Studies show children in full-day kindergarten
programs do better academically and socially
during the primary years.
Educational Studies
•
•
The first 5 years of life are
critical in development
Children who are involved in
early learning experiences are
more successful in school, as
well as later in life
•
Children who have a good
start are less likely to have
behavioral problems
•
Less likely to be referred to
special education
•
Earned better grades
•
More graduated from high
school
•
According to research, many
states are introducing
prekindergarten programs
– PK refers to the full range
of early childhood programs,
including school and home
based child care, preschool,
and Head Start
Career Opportunities in
Early Childhood
•
•
•
•
Nannies
Au pairs
Kindergarten teachers
Early childhood
assistant and
associate teachers
• Child care teachers
and directors
•
•
•
•
•
Family child care home
Licensing specialist
Playground designers
Children’s librarians
Salespeople of
children’s products
• Parents educators
• Children’s artist
Nannies
•
•
•
•
Provides care in a child’s home
Some nannies live in the child’s home
“Raise” the child
Many nannies come from other
countries
Au Pairs
• A person from a foreign country
who lives with a family and
performs tasks similar to those of
a nanny
• In exchange for weekly pay, room,
board and transportation, the au pair
provides child care and may do
housework.
Kindergarten Teacher
• Needed in public and private schools
• Many child care centers hire
kindergarten teachers
Early Childhood Assistant
and Associate Teachers
• Provides support and assistance to the
lead teacher in providing developmentally
appropriate curriculum.
• Typically an entry level position
• May give experience needed to advance to
the lead teacher position
Child Care Teachers and
Directors
• Teacher is responsible for planning
curriculum and teaching children
• Director is responsible for marketing
the program, recruiting children,
hiring and supervising staff, and
managing the budget.
Family Child Care Home
• Provide care for
children age 6
weeks to 12 years
• Allows a child care
provider to work
from home
• Often has longer
hours of operation
• Homelike
atmosphere
• Care providers can
also care for their
own children
Licensing Specialist
• Employed by the state
• Their role is to protect
and promote the health,
safety and welfare of
children attending centers
• Makes visits to assigned
centers
–
–
–
–
–
–
Is center following state licensing
guidelines?
How many children are in facility?
What is the adult-child ratio?
What is the size of the facility?
What is the quality of food
service?
Is the appropriate curriculum
being provided?
• Building safety, health
practices, educational
preparedness of staff and
physical space are
monitored as well
Other Career
Opportunities
• Parent educator – work
with parents to help them
learn parenting skills
• Counselors
• Community recreation
leader
• Entrepreneur – a person
who creates and runs
their own business
• Children’s art, dance, music
and sports instructor
• Social workers
• Therapists
– Most common is a family
child care home
– Ex: consultant, store
owner
Education and Training
Needed
•
Some entry-level positions (i.e.,
playground supervisor, teacher’s
aide) require a high school
diploma
•
Teachers usually required to
have a bachelor’s degree in
ECE, child development or a
closely related field.
•
Most require training and
educational beyond high school.
•
Some jobs require a graduate
degree
•
– Consultants
– Researchers
– Early childhood instructors
and professors
Step one is to obtain the Child
Development Associate (CDA)
Credential
– A national credential that
requires postsecondary courses
in child care education and
have demonstrated the ability
to work with young children.
•
Each state establishes its own
qualifications for staff
working in child care centers.
•
Qualifications depend on
position desired and location.
CDA History
• Initiated in 1971 for the purpose of
improving the quality of child care.
• It was designed to assess and
credential early care and education
professionals based on performance.
CDA Eligibility
Requirements
• Experience
– At least 480 hours
work experience
with 3-5 year olds
• Education
– 120 clock hours
divided among
different program
areas
• Personal
– 18 years old with a high school
diploma
– Academic skills
– Signed statement of ethical
conduct
• Setting
– State-approved center
– Must be the head caregiver for 8
or more children ages 3-5
– 10 children must be enrolled in
program and two caregivers
present
– No more than 20% of children can
have special needs
Child Development
Associate Credential
• Competency Goals: establish the
framework for caregiver behavior
– How many are there? 6
• Functional Areas describe the major tasks
or functions must complete in order to
carry out the competency goals.
– How many are there? 13
The Teacher’s
Responsibilities
• Plan developmentally appropriate
curriculum through developmentally
appropriate practice
– A set of guidelines that focus on the
outcomes of learning activities
– Based on the idea that children learn from
play
– Emphasizes knowing children well and
respecting them.
The Teacher’s
Responsibilities
• Prepare the
environment
– Must encourage
children to
independently
experiment, explore
and manipulate
– Provide a variety of
materials
• Communicate
Effectively
– Positive communication
will help you form and
maintain a close
relationship with
children
– Encourage
communication with
parents and caregivers
– Form meaningful
relationships with
colleagues
The Teacher’s
Responsibilities
• Demonstrate
Teamwork
– Work as a team
with your
colleagues by
respecting them
– Support your
coworkers
– Conflict resolution
skills
• Time Management
– Helps teachers
work smarter
– Set priorities
– Distinguish
between important
and urgent matters
The Teacher’s
Responsibilities
• Participate in
Professional
Organizations
– Keep current in the
field
– FCCLA
– NAEYC (National
Association for the
Education of Young
Children) is the primary
organization for the
early childhood field
• Follow ethical
standards
– Ethics are a guiding
set of moral principles
– Right vs. wrong
The Teacher’s
Responsibilities
• To continue to learn
– Professional development
– Conferences
• Know how children grow and develop
What do you think are
characteristics of a
successful teacher?
Characteristics of a
Successful Teacher
• Fondness for children • Patience
– Every child should fee
understood and
accepted
– As part of their social
development, children
need to be taught
that people and
feelings are important
– Allow children time
to explore, solve
problems and
create
– Children often
learn through
repetition
Characteristics of a
Successful Teacher
• Compassion
– Accept others without
prejudice
– Is sensitive to both
positive and negative
feelings the children
express
– Compliment children
for their successes
– Help children
understand feelings
– Motivate children to
respect each other
• Confidence
– Helps you to relax in
the classroom
– Stand by your decisions
and children will accept
them
Characteristics of a
Successful Teacher
• Sense of humor
– Children enjoy
adults who laugh
– Positive teacher =
positive student
– Makes work more
enjoyable
– Make sure to laugh
with, not at
children.
• Commitment
– Must constantly
study to keep up
with current
developments in
field
– Preparing for daily
teaching is time
consuming
Characteristics of a
Successful Teacher
• Personal Desire
– You may have
doubts
– You need to feel
that working with
children is
rewarding for you
• Physical and Mental
Health
– Eat nutritious
meals
– Get plenty of sleep
– Stay physically
active
– Find stress
relievers
Chapter 1 Review
• Know percentages of
child care in the 1970s
vs. today
• Changes in families
that affect child care
• Benefits of corporate
childcare
• Advantages of early
learning experiences
• Be able to describe 5
career opportunities
in early childhood
• Be able to describe a
family child care home
• Eligibility
requirements for a
CDA
• CDA functional areas
vs. competency goals
Chapter 1 Review
• Know at least 3 responsibilities and 3
characteristics of a successful
teacher
• Know your vocabulary