Definitions and Demographics

1. Definitions and Demographics EDCI 336 August 21, 2007

2. Today’s objectives • Learn basic definitions • Discuss basic demographic data regarding young children

3. Definitions • “At-Risk”: children or families who are more likely than others to experience failure due to factors such as:

4. Poverty • Abuse • Illness • Social disturbance

5. Definitions • School Readiness: • “Ability to cope physically, socially, emotionally, and academically with a school environment”(Dunlap, 1997).

6. Definitions • Disabilities: • ADA :Condition that limits some life activity • Physical, cognitive, psychological or social difficulty so severe it negatively affects student learning

7. Definitions • Developmental Delays: • “Physical or psychological changes occurring at a slower than typical rate”(Dunlap,1997).

8. Definitions • IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan • IEP: Individualized Education Program

9. Definitions • Socioeconomic Status (SES) • Relating to social and economic status

10. Definitions • Poverty: “lack of money or material possessions”(Merriam-Webster, 1997).

11. Definitions • Diversity: variety

12. Definitions • Ecological Systems Theory: “views the child as developing within a complex system of relationships affected by multiple levels of the surrounding environment” (Berk, 1999)

13. Definitions • EST is based on Bronfenbrenner’s work

14. Definitions • Assistive Technology: • “ devices that help with functioning in daily activities, including hearing aids, walkers, augmentative communication devices”(Dunlap, 1997)

15. Definitions • Early Intervention: • “Services provided in natural environments to infants and toddlers at risk of developmental delays”(Barbour, 2001).

16. Demographic Trends • Early childhood programs • 1950’s • Kindergartens • Half-day nursery school • Served middle class children

17. Demographic Trends • Early childhood programs • Present day: Same as before plus • Head Start • Early Intervention Programs • Home-based programs • Child care centers • Before and after school programs

18. Demographic Trends • Why the significant change? • Two main changes for children in our society • Family economic resources • Racial and ethnic diversity

19. Find the answers to the following questions. • About __ million or __%of young children under the age of 5 live in poverty • 2000: Nearly __%of children ages birth to 5 lived in dual-earner families. • Increase/decrease in wealthy families • Increase/decrease in middle-class families

20. Demographic Trends • Diversity • 2000 __% of preschool-aged children were minorities • By 2040 this figure will increase to 55%

21. Demographic Trends • Children’s participation in early childhood programs varies by family income and ethnicity • Participation rates • Family income of $10,000 or less: 50% • Family income of $75,000 or more: 77%

22. 3 Major Challenges • To meet the increasing needs of dual-earner families and single-parent working families for full-day programs.

23. To finance a system of high-quality care and education, accessible to all incomes.

24. To develop relationships within family, community, and peer cultures that support education and care of children from diverse backgrounds.