Early Childhood Careers So you want to work with children…

Working with Young Children

After review of this power point, you will be able • • • • • to… Explain how social and economic changes will increase the need for child care services.

Describe career opportunities in the early childhood field.

Describe what a CDA Credential is.

List the responsibilities of the early childhood teacher.

Explain how certain personal characteristics can help early childhood teachers care for and educate young children.

Changing families

• Factors which affect the need for child care 1. Women are becoming more highly educated.

2. Married couples are having fewer children.

3. Nearly 75% of children have parents working or attending school outside the home.

4. 2/3 of women with children younger than six work outside the home.

5. Many working women are widowed, divorced, single, separated, or married to men earning a salary that is too low to support the family.

Career Opportunities in Early Childhood

• • • • A nanny provides care in a child’s home.

An au pair(oh pare) is a person from a foreign country who lives with a family and performs tasks similar to a nanny.

Kindergarten Teacher Early Childhood Assistant and Associate Teacher: provides support for and assist a lead teacher in providing a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

• • •

Career Opportunities in early Childhood

Child Care Teachers and Directors: The teacher is responsible for planning curriculum and teaching children. The Director markets the program, recruits children, hiring and supervising staff, and managing the budget.

Family Child Care Home: this type of care allows a child care provider to work from home.

Licensing Specialists: a person usually employed by the state. The role of this person is to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare fo children attending centers.

Education and Training needed to work with young children.

There are a few entry-level positions requiring little training or experience. The teacher’s aide is an example of this position.

Education and Training needed to work with young children

CDA: National credential course work in child care education. The six CDA Goals are divided into 13 areas which describe major tasks caregivers must accomplish to satisfy the competency goals. To be eligible a person must be 18 years old and have a high school diploma and a minimum number of hours of child care experience and have taken courses in early childhood education.

Most of the jobs require at least a two-year associate degree in child development. A bachelor’s degree usually requires a minimum of four years of college. Directors of child care programs need a bachelor’s degree.

Traits of an Effective Teacher

1. An effective teacher needs to know what children are like. You will need a thorough understanding of child growth and development.

2. An effective teacher knows how to plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

3. An effective teacher stimulates the learning environment.

4. An effective teacher has good communication skills.

Traits of an effective teacher

5. An effective teacher can get along with other staff.

6. An effective teacher learns how to manage time wisely.

7. An effective teacher joins a professional organization that help you keep up with current developments in the field. Check out the www.naeyc.org

website.

Traits of an effective teacher.

8. An effective teacher follows ethical standards(guiding set of moral principles).

9. An effective teacher continues to learn. Professional development is an ongoing process. A teacher never finishes learning.

Characteristics of Successful Teachers

1. Has a positive attitude and sense of humor.

2. Is fond of children.

3. Relates easily and spontaneously to others.

4. Is patient, confident, and caring.

5. Is creative and resourceful.

6. Is dependable and reliable.

7. Is a keen observer.

8. Solves problems well and makes sound decisions.

9. Is flexible and adapts well to the requirements of others.

Characteristics of a Successful Teacher

• • • • • Is compassionate, accepting children’s strong emotions such as anger, love, and wonder.

Enjoys challenges and is willing and able to grow.

Takes initiative in the classroom Has Knowledge in curriculum, child growth and development, and child guidance.

Keeps abreast of changes in the field by reading, attending conferences, seminars and courses.

Characteristics of a Successful Teacher

• • • • • • • Desires continuous learning.

Becomes an active member of professional organizations.

Can juggle several activities at once.

Feels rewarded by even minimal progress.

Communicates and resolves conflicts well.

Has lots of energy.

Has a strong sense of ethical behavior.

Deciding whether you want to be an early childhood teacher is an important step in having a successful career.

Review and Reflect

1. True or False. Social and economic changes have created a need for more child care services.

2. ___ or ____ provide care for children in parents’ homes.

3. A _____ is responsible for enforcing state child care rules and regulations.

4. Describe the CDA Credential. 5. What is the name of the primary professional organization for teachers of young children?

6. True or False. People who are naturally quiet and reserved cannot be effective early childhood teachers.

7. In teaching, _______ skills are needed to help teachers work smarter, not harder.

Resources

• Working with Young Children, Judy Herr The Goodheart –Wilcox Company, Inc. 2004