Exploring Your Role

1. Exploring Your Role as a Reflective Practitioner.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. A Definition of Teaching. Your Role as a Reflective Practitioner. What is the Field of Early Childhood Education? Characteristics of Effective Early Childhood Educators. Professional Goals for Early Childhood Educators. The Field of Early Childhood Education. The Importance of Education in the Early Years. Conclusion. A Conversation with Lilian Katz on Stages of Teacher Development. A Conversation with Elaine Surbeck on the Journal Writing of Preservice Teachers. One Child, Three Perspectives: An Instructional Support Team Designs an Educational Plan for Michael. In-Class Workshop: Exploring Values Through Vignettes. Featuring Families: A Checklist to Guide Parents in Selecting an Early Childhood Program.



2. Exploring Your Child Advocacy Role from an Historical Perspective.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. Your Role as a Child Advocate. Historical Influences on Contemporary Programs. Time-Honored Precepts of Early Childhood Education. How Programs Begin and Change. Early Childhood Programs for the 21st Century. Conclusion. A Conversation with James L. Hoot on Early Childhood Programs Around the World. A Conversation with Amy Driscoll on Exemplary Programs. One Child, Three Perspectives: Giselle's After School Care. In-Class Workshop: Articulating a Professional and Program Philosophy. Featuring Families: A Program Philosophy Statement.



3. Exploring Your Role as a Child Development Specialist.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. A Definition of Growth and Development. Attributes of Young Children. Your Role as a Child Development Specialist. Why Child Development Knowledge is Important. Major Theoretical Models. Conclusion. A Conversation with Richard Gargulio on Young Children with Special Needs. One Child, Three Perspectives: Angelica's Baby Pictures. Featuring Families: A Note to Families: Communicating about Child Development.



4. Exploring Your Role in Fostering Young Children's Learning.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. A Definition of Learning. Features of Authentic Learning Experiences. Your Role as a Facilitator of Learning. The Importance of Learner-Centered Experiences. How Play Contributes to Children's Learning. Major Learning Theories. Conclusion. A Conversation with Janet Taylor on Developmental Continuity. A Conversation with Doris Fromberg on the Value of Play. One Child, Three Perspectives: Alexander's Reading Difficulties. In-Class Workshop: Learning Environments for Multiple Intelligences. Featuring Families: What is a Good Learning Experience?



6. Exploring Your Role as a Curriculum Developer.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. A Definition for Curriculum. Why Curriculum is So Important. Your Role as a Curriculum Developer. Understanding the Written Curriculum. Understanding the Taught Curriculum. Creating Meaningful Curriculum. Curriculum Theory. Conclusion. A Conversation with Sue Bredekamp on Developmentally Appropriate Practice. A Conversation with Diane Trister Dodge on Integrating the Curriculum. One Child, Three Perspectives: Benjamin's School Play. In-Class Workshop: Brainstorming with Curriculum Webs. Featuring Families: Communicating with Families about Curriculum.



7. Exploring Your Role in Planning for Instruction.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. Types and Levels of Planning. Your Role as a Planner. Why is Planning so Crucial to Success as a Teacher? Research on Teachers' Planning Efforts. Making Useful and Appropriate Plans. A Conversation with Marjorie Kostelnik on Teaching Young Children Using Themes. A Conversation with Jeanette Allison on the Project Approach. One Child, Three Perspectives: Shayna Goes to Kindergarten. In-Class Workshop: Planning for Different Age and Ability Levels. Featuring Families: Communicating with Families about Meaningful Home Learning Activities.



8. Exploring Your Role in Documenting Children's Learning.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. Assessment Defined. Your Role as an Evaluator. Approaches to Assessment. Principles of Performance Assessment. Establishing a Balanced System of Assessment. Evaluating Program Effectiveness. General Indicators of a Balanced Assessment Program. Conclusion. A Conversation with Sue Wortham on Authentic Assessment. A Conversation with Deborah Leong on Assessing Development and Learning. One Child, Three Perspectives: Damien, a Drug-Exposed Child. In-Class Workshop: Designing Student Work Portfolios. Featuring Families: A Question-and-Answer Session with Parents on Portfolios.



9. Exploring Your Role in Guiding Children's Behavior.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. Children's Needs and Rights. Your Role in Child Guidance. Discipline and Child Guidance. Violence, Aggression, and Conflict. Positive Guidance Strategies. Conflict Resolution and Classroom Communities. Coping with Different Types of Conflict. Guiding Children to Appropriate Behavior. A Conversation with Edyth Wheeler on Conflict Resolution. One Child, Three Perspectives: Earl's Disruptive Behavior. In-Class Workshop: Role-Playing More Skillful Ways of Talking with Children. Featuring Families: Common Conflict Scenarios.



10. Exploring Your Role in Supporting Families.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. Understanding Contemporary Families. Your Role as a Family Resource Person. Engaging Parents/Families in Educare. Allying with Parents and Families. Collaborating with Families in Inclusive and Diverse Settings. Major Models of Home/School/Community Collaboration. Conclusion. A Conversation with Eugenia Hepworth Berger on Contemporary Parent Involvement. One Child, Three Perspectives: David, a Newly Immigrated Child. In-Class Workshop: Creating an Informational Brochure on a Topic of Interest to Parents. Featuring Families: A Getting to Know You Questionnaire for Parents.



11. Exploring Your Role as a Professional in the Field of Early Childhood Education.


Learning Outcomes. Meet the Teachers. A Definition of Professional Development. Your Role as an Early Childhood Professional. Ways of Supporting Professional Development. Stages in Teachers' Professional Development. Lifelong Learning and the Early Childhood Practitioner. The Concerns of Beginning Teachers. Conclusion. A Conversation with Sharon Lynn Kagan on Public Policy and Teachers' Professional Growth. One Child, Three Perspectives: Rolando's Mother Gets Involved in Head Start. In-Class Workshop: Beginning Your Professional Portfolio. Featuring Families: Conducting Home Visits.



Appendix: Compendium of Early Childhood Materials and Resources.


References.


Name Index.


Subject Index.