Class+Assignment+9-10-13

__ GROUP A __

__ History of Early Childhood Education: __
 * 1) 1762 Philosopher Jean-Jacques Roussueau states that a child's mode of thinking is different than an adult and they learn though hands-on experience.
 * 2) 1801 Johann Pestalozzi established what is considered to the first school to teach preschool age children.
 * 3) 1837 Children's Garden (Kindergarten) started in Germany by Friedrich Froebel.
 * 4) The state of Wisconsin created constitutional amendments to include committees dedicated to free education of children aged four to twenty in 1848 and then later, in 1873, started the first four year old kindergarten program.
 * 5) 1854 The Nursery School for Children of Poor Women was opened in cooperation with Children's Hospital of New York City.
 * 6) 1873 First public school kindergarten started in St. Louis.
 * 7) 1898 Hull House, a settlement house for immigrants, establishes a day nursery.
 * 8) 1907 Maria Montesorri opens the Children's House in Rome.
 * 9) In 1926, the national association for the education of young children (NAEYC) was established dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children and focusing on the quality of education and developmental services offered to children from birth to the age of eight.
 * 10) 1964 Head Start is funded by the Economic Opportunites Act. Head Start, founded in 1965 as a program through the United States Department of Health and Human Services, was originally founded to ready low-income children over the summer months for upcoming kindergarten. Over the years, Head Start has become a respected preschool aged program found in many communities working with children of all backgrounds and abilities.
 * 11) 1969 The first Kindercare center is opened.
 * 12) 1982 National Association for Family Day Care is founded.
 * 13) 1985 San Francisco becomes the first large city to require developers to set aside space of funds for child care space.
 * 14) 1985 National Academy of Early Childhood Programs is established by NAEYC for voluntary accreditation of center based programs.
 * 15) 1988 The U.S. Department of Education establishes Even Start, a parent education/literacy program.
 * 16) 1990 Child Care and Development Grant CCDBG {PL101-508}is enacted.
 * 17) 1990 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship program enacted.
 * 18) 1996 The Stand for Children Campaign begins. Initated by the Children's Defense Fund.
 * 19) 1996 Provider Appreciation Day first celebrated.
 * 20) 1997 - Clinton reestablishes the White House Conference on Children.
 * 21) 2001 NAEYC 75th anniversary
 * 22) 2002 No Child Left Behind Act
 * 23) 2003 Campaign Launched to Avoid SIDS In Child Care Settings
 * 24) 2005 Operation Military Child care

__GROUP B__ Theorists John Amos Comenius (1592-1670)
 * Books with illustrations
 * Teachers should follow child’s own timetable
 * Learning by doing, using the senses, make exciting
 * Social reform: educate poor and rich

Jean Jacques Rousseau
 * 1712-1778
 * Children naturally good
 * Use of concrete materials
 * Children learn from first hand information
 * Phases of development of a child’s mind
 * Education should match level of development
 * Influenced future educators such as Froebel and Montessori

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
 * 1746-1827
 * More pragmatic: teach basic skills
 * Caring as well as educating
 * Integrated curriculum to educate the whole child
 * Teaching in groups rather than with tutors (Rousseau)

Friedrich Froebel 1782-1852
 * Father of the kindergarten
 * Early childhood should be pleasant
 * Children should be able to play
 * With trained teachers

Maria Montessori 1870-1952
 * First female physician in Italy
 * Worked with poor and retarded children
 * Education begins at birth
 * Children pass through “sensitive periods”
 * Sequential steps of learning

Rudolph Steiner 1861-1925
 * Establishment of Waldorf Schools
 * Carefully planned and nurturing environment
 * Different areas of development connected
 * Play is important

John Dewey 1858-1952
 * Big influence on current teaching practices
 * Education should be integrated into with life and support living in society (learning and living inseparable)
 * Children were naturally good
 * School focus on ALL the basics not just a few

__GROUP C__ Approaches The concept of educating young children within the family has been happening for many, many years, but the evolution of early childhood education within an outside setting has many different theories and facets. The studies conducted by jean piaget along with the work he did with children, paved the way for educators to create different styles of teaching to use within programs. Many of these theories of teaching are used in preschools around the country. They include: __The Montessori Method:__ Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree with areas of study in psychiatry, education and anthropology. Her belief was that every child was born with potential and that children should be allowed to be free to explore and play within their environment. In the early 1900’s, Montessori visited the United States to share her unique style of teaching. The main focus is to always be attentive to the child and follow the child in the direction they chose to go when learning. The Montessori Method is practiced within many preschools around the country. __Reggio Emilia Approach:__ Begun in Italy after World War II in the city of Reggio Emilia, this preschool teaching style is based on children’s symbolic language and the context of project-oriented curriculum. With the Reggio Emilia approach, community is a large part of the educational process and with opportunities for educational experiences for teachers to maintain their abilities and to enhance and dedicate themselves as educators to the development of the young child. The environment of the educational setting is also considered to be an important aspect of the child’s development and often considered as the “third teacher.” Along with Piaget’s constructivist thought, the Reggio Emilia Approach, the community as well as teachers believe the child to be interested in learning and experimenting through inner motivation, promoting educated and productive future adults. __Play-Based Learning:__ The concept of play-based learning is exactly what it sounds like, playing to learn. Many educators have helped pave the way to understanding the wonders of allowing children to learn through their play. bev bos, both an educator and writer, has been sharing her ideas and concepts through books and lectures for over 40 years. Her suggestions of teaching with a hand’s off style encourages teachers to let children lead themselves through problem solving and discovery with minimal intervention, and to learn through play. __Direct Instruction:__ Siegried Engelmann and Wesley Becker coined this teaching concept in the 1960’s. The goal is for children to be directed through their development with teachers leading activities directed toward specific learning. Often drilling methods are used as well as rote learning. Other characteristics of direct instruction are fast-paced learning activities, active involvement between teachers and children, and positive reinforcement offered often and mistakes corrected immediately.

__GROUP D __ Early Childhood Profession
 * day care workers, preschool teachers, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers;
 * hold at least a certificate or associate degree in early childhood education;
 * A public elementary school teacher must earn a bachelor's degree or higher;
 * Those who would like to move up to top-level job opportunities in school administration should earn a master's degree or a PhD in early childhood education.
 * An early childhood education certificate will prepare you for an entry-level career in a daycare facility or in a similar childcare setting.
 * An associate degree in early childhood education is a more extensive program that, upon completion, can offer a wider range of career options or career advancement. Employees with an associate degree in early childhood education are often lead teachers in daycare and preschool settings.
 * Bachelor's Degrees in Early Childhood Education
 * If you are interested in becoming a public school teacher, you must earn a bachelor's degree, which is a prerequisite for a teacher's license. To teach in private schools a license may not be required, but a bachelor's degree typically is. The degree generally takes four years to complete and is the most common entry-level requirement for an education career with advancement opportunities. In addition to covering general education requirements, bachelor's degree programs in early childhood education typically focus on classroom issues and pre-kindergarten through third grade instructional methods.

What can you do with an Early Childhood Education Major?
 * Most positions in the field of early childhood education involve working directly with young children (even leadership positions generally require this experience). Your education level determines your eligibility for various types of job opportunities in the education field. The higher the degree you attain, the more positions you may pursue, and the higher the salary you can expect.
 * Here are some career options for early childhood education majors at different levels:
 * Child Care Worker. Child care workers operate in a variety of settings, most frequently a day care center. As a child care worker, you can expect to help children learn basic concepts, primarily through play. Child care centers are typically open all year long and have opportunities for part or full time employment. There are usually few opportunities for advancement. Though requirements vary from state to state, a high school diploma or its equivalent is usually the only education necessary. For administrative positions, however, a child development certificate or associate degree is generally the minimum requirement.
 * Preschool Teacher. Preschool teachers typically work with children from age two until they're ready for kindergarten. Teachers are responsible for introducing basic skills and concepts such as colors, numbers, and letters. Again, the primary method for learning is through play. Preschool teachers are usually required to have an associate degree at minimum, but a bachelor's degree will better qualify you for the many opportunities for advancement in a preschool center. You may begin as an assistant teacher and work your way up to teacher, or lead teacher.
 * Teacher, Kindergarten or Elementary School. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers teach students skills in the areas of science, math, language, and social studies. They must be able to employ a variety of instructional methods and work with students of all different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities.
 * 1) Certifications:
 * 2) In addition to a state license, teachers may also obtain a national accreditation from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. This certification is recognized by all states and often provides the teacher with special benefits, including higher salary and money for continuing education. To obtain this national recognition, the applicant must submit a portfolio demonstrating their classroom work. An exam evaluating their knowledge is also required.
 * 3) Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is awarded in the United States to those who have completed a list of requirements, including 120 hours of training, set forth by the Council for Professional Recognition, and who have successfully passed the verification visit to work with Infants/Toddlers or Preschoolers. There are several settings toward which a CDA can be awarded: Center-based Infant/Toddler, Center-based Preschool, Family Child Care, Bi-lingual, and Home Visitor. This is now an entry-level credential for early care and education providers.
 * 4) CDAs must be able to work with parents and children, and be competent in 17 Functional Areas, as outlined by the Council for Professional Recognition. The CDA is a national credential and has been accepted in all 50 of the United States, and the U.S. Territories. The required training can be completed at in-person classes or online. On the Council's website, as listed below, there is a listing of training agencies throughout the United States that offer CDA training. This list is more reliable than those training venues retrieved from doing a search because, many times, they are not legitimate (the training hours are not accepted by the Council, for example). Also, because quality standards are continually being raised for early care and education, caregivers are being required to have an associate degree, even for an entry-level position, in many states. It is suggested, then, that candidates acquire the 120 clock hours of training in the form of college credits, so that they can use the credits to continue their education down the road, if they need to earn a degree. Not all of the training venues offer college credit for the training hours that are provided and candidates should be sure to verify this before spending any money.