Edited by Dr. Vivian G. Baglien as adapted from Dr. Yvonne Gentzler

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

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

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

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

Discuss



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

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

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

To Continue to Learn

 Professional development is ongoing  Lifelong learners utilize  conferences  in-service training  course work  journals  study groups  books

Characteristics of Successful Teachers

 Fondness for children  Patience  Compassion  Confidence  Sense of humor  Commitment  Personal desire  Physical and mental health

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

Patience

 Effective teachers allow children time to explore, solve problems, and create

continued

Patience

 Young children need to  have extra time to complete tasks  have the opportunity to repeat tasks  be able to repeat questions

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

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

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

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

Personal Desire



Knowing you really want to teach young children is important to your success

 Examine your    interests feelings satisfactions

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

Did You Know?

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

Reflect



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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.