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Learning Resources
Required Resources
- Article: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (1993). A conceptual framework for early childhood professional development: A position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. POSITION STATEMENTS (NAEYC) by NAEYC. Copyright 1998 by National Assn for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of National Assn for the Education of Young Children in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.
- Article: National Professional Development Center on Inclusion. (2008). What do we mean by professional development in the early childhood field? Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG Child Development Institute, Author. Used by permission of the National Professional Development Center for Inclusion (NPDCI), University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
- Article: Richardson, J. (2002). Take a closer look: Reflection gives educators a chance to tap into what they’ve learned. Tools for Schools. National Staff Development Council. TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS by RICHARDSON, J. Copyright 2002 by National Staff Development Council. Reproduced with permission of National Staff Development Council in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.
- Article: Rigby, E., & Newman, M. J. (2000). Making a difference: Leadership in early care and education policy. Young Children. Beyond the Journal. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. BEYOND THE JOURNAL: YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE WEB. ONLINE by Elizabeth Rigby and Michelle J. Newman Copyright 2005 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of National Association for the Education of Young Children in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.
- Course Text: Early Childhood Education Today
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- Figure 1.5, “Seventeen Competencies for Becoming a Professional: A Professional Development Checklist,” p. 26
Media
- Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). A call for leadership [Video File]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
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- Review Video 2 from Week 1, “A Call for Leadership”
Optional Resources
- Web Article: Leading Early Childhood Learning Communities: What Principals Should Know and Be Able to Do (Executive Summary)
http://web.naesp.org/misc/ECLC_ExecSum.pdf
- Web Article: Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals Area VIII: Teacher Qualifications and Professional Development
http://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/cc/provider_training_development/intro_page/publications/competencies/chapters_individuall - y
Application: Setting Goals for Your Professional Development
Becoming an early childhood professional is a complex process. There are many areas of knowledge and skill to develop. There are understandings, attitudes, and dispositions that are vital in helping you support the diverse needs of young children and families. No wonder professional development is a lifelong process. There is much to know—including recognizing the need to be open to and aware of changes in society and changes in the field that impact young children and families.
This Application will help you to focus on specific areas, or competencies, that are part of the professional development of all early childhood professionals and to target those areas of special interest or concern to you.
To complete this Application, do the following:
Read and Reflect
Carefully read Figure 1.5, “Seventeen Competencies for Becoming a Professional,” on page 26 in the Morrison course text. As you read the description of each competency, stop to consider your own level of knowledge and familiarity with this area. As a student of child development and a lifelong learner, keep in mind that you will always be in the process of learning more and becoming more capable in each area of competency.
Set Goals
With the seventeen competencies and your personal reflection in mind, respond to the following three points:
- Summarize how you can use these competencies as a checklist of goals to support your professional growth.
- Choose three of the seventeen competencies you consider, at present, to be the most important professional goals for you to focus on in order to increase your professional growth. Explain your plan for how to raise your level of knowledge and skill in each of these three competencies.
- Choose three competencies other than those you identified above that relate most closely to your current thoughts about the career direction you would like to follow in the early childhood field. Explain how each competency may help prepare you for the particular career area or for a specific position. Then set a goal related to each of these three competencies and briefly describe your plan for achieving each goal.
Assignment length: 2–3 pages