You: Working with Young Children

2. 1 You: Working with Young Children

3. Key Concepts • Social and economic changes affect the growth of the child care profession. • Learning about the responsibilities and characteristics of child care teachers can help you decide if a career in this field is for you.

4. You: Working with Young Children • People considering early childhood careers often want to know • if there will be a need for trained personnel • what the job responsibilities are • what personal characteristics are needed

5. Social and Economic Changes • Changes in families • Changes in employers’ attitudes • Changes in education attitudes • Educational studies • Benefits to the economy

6. Married couples are having fewer children No longer have a mother as homemaker and a father as wage earner Almost 75% of children have parents working or attending school Many working women are widowed, divorced, single, or separated Changes in Families Many working women are widowed, divorced, single, or separated Women are increasingly committed to careers Women are becoming highly educated 75% of children participate in a preschool program Changes in Families

7. Changes in Employers’ Attitudes • Corporate or employer-sponsored child care is growing • On-site child care • Referral service • Sick child care • Emergency backup arrangements • Intergenerational care

8. Brainstorm • What are some of the payoffs companies receive when offering child care benefits to employees?

9. 1970s Today 67% of children participate in an early childhood program 6% of children were cared for in child care centers 95% of the nation’s five-year-olds attend kindergarten programs Changes in Education Attitudes

10. Educational Studies • Studies have confirmed that • the first five years of life are critical • the benefits of early education are long-term • early brain development depends on a stimulating environment and nurturing continued

11. Educational Studies • Children who receive early learning experiences are less likely to • have behavioral problems • be referred to special education • Many states introduced prekindergarten (PK) programs to support early learning

12. Benefits to the Economy • Early childhood programs influence tomorrow’s economy • A sound investment • Saves taxpayers future costs • Pays great returns to children

13. Career Opportunities in Early Childhood • Nannies and au pairs • Kindergarten teachers • Early childhood assistant/associate teachers • Child care teachers and directors • Family child care home • Licensing specialists • Other career opportunities

14. Nannies and Au Pairs • A nanny provides care in a child’s home • May live with the family • May receive health insurance, paid holidays, and room and board in addition to salary • An au pair is a person from a foreign country who lives with a family and performs tasks similar to those of a nanny

15. Kindergarten Teachers • Most states are providing opportunities to attend kindergarten • Teachers are needed in • public schools • private schools

16. Early Childhood Assistant and Associate Teachers • Early childhood assistants or associate teachers are hired to • achieve the required adult-child ratios • provide support to lead teachers • Assistant or associate positions may require • specialized coursework or training • CDA credential • associate degree

17. Child Care Teachers and Directors • Child care teachers are responsible for • planning curriculum • teaching children • Child care directors are responsible for • marketing the program • recruiting children • hiring and supervising staff • managing the budget

18. Family Child Care Homes • Family child care homes provide child care for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 12 years • This type of care allows • child care providers to work from home • child care providers to care for their own children • longer hours of operation • homelike atmosphere

19. Licensing Specialists • Licensing specialists make visits to centers to observe • if they follow the state licensing guidelines • adult-child ratio • size of the facility • food service • curriculum provided • building safety and health practices

20. Other Career Opportunities • The field of early childhood offers a variety of positions • Parent educator • Community recreation leader • Social workers • Counselors and therapists • Health care providers continued

21. Other Career Opportunities • The field of early childhood also offers the ability to run your own business as an entrepreneur • Family child care home • Consultants • Store owners • Designers of children’s products • Entertainers

22. Education and Training Needed to Work with Young Children

23. The Teacher’s Responsibilities • Know how children grow and develop • Plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum • Prepare the environment • Communicate effectively • Demonstrate teamwork continued

24. The Teacher’s Responsibilities • Manage time wisely • Participate in professional organizations • Follow ethical standards • Continue to learn

25. To Know How Children Grow and Develop • This understanding helps teachers to • prepare inviting and developmentally appropriate environments • design educational experiences to promote growth • develop curriculum that is challenging and interesting without being difficult or discouraging • work effectively with individuals and groups of children

26. To Plan a Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum • Developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) is a set of guidelines that focus on the outcomes of learning activities • Whole child programs focus on • physical development • social development • cognitive development • emotional development

27. To Prepare the Environment • Teachers prepare inviting and stimulating learning environments to encourage children to • independently experiment, explore, and manipulate materials • engage in positive social activities • develop physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally