Early Childhood Education 1 (2014)

Explain, demonstrate, and integrate processes of thinking, communication, leadership, and management in order to apply education and early childhood knowledge and skills.

Analyze career paths within early childhood education and other child-related careers in order to evaluate a variety of career options

Create learning environments based on children’s characteristics and needs, and multiple influences on their early development and learning.

Integrate knowledge of diversity to build respectful, reciprocal relationships and to involve families and communities in children’s development and learning.

Implement assessment tools, approaches, and partnerships in order to develop goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies and to promote positive outcomes for each child.

Apply knowledge of children’s ages and characteristics to select developmentally appropriate teaching, learning strategies, tools, and approaches.

Build curriculum across academic disciplines that is developmentally meaningful and challenging for each child.

Demonstrate professional practices and standards related to being an early childhood educator.

Demonstrate components of critical thinking, creative thinking, and reasoning

Evaluate effective communication processes in early childhood education settings

Demonstrate leadership that encourages participation and respect for the ideas, perspectives, and contributions of group members

Apply management, decision-making, and problem solving processes to accomplish tasks and fulfill responsibilities in early childhood education settings

Explain interrelationships among thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes to address early childhood education issues

Demonstrate fundamentals to career success (e.g. time-management, strong work ethic, positive attitude, adaptability, flexibility, stress resilience, accountability, self-discipline, resourcefulness, cooperation, self-assessment)

Apply basic math, literacy, arts, science, social studies, and physical education skills to successfully manage resources in community and workplace settings

Examine strategies to manage the impact of changing technologies in workplace settings

Examine potential career choices to determine the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes associated with each

Explain the roles and functions of individuals engaged in early childhood, education, and services

Analyze opportunities for employment and entrepreneurial endeavors in early childhood, education, and services

Identify the personal qualities and abilities needed to be effective with children

Summarize education and training requirements and opportunities for career paths in early childhood, education, and services

Demonstrate job seeking and job keeping skills

Analyze the effects of early childhood, education, and services on local, state, national and global economics

Analyze the role of professional organizations in education and early childhood

Describe and discuss the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and creative developmental domains of children from birth through age twelve

Examine existing and emerging child development theories and their implications for educational and child care practices

Consider cultural and environmental influences when interpreting children's development

Consider special needs when interpreting children's developmental levels

Describe and discuss appropriate learning environments for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-agers

Recognize and develop a plan to enhance the environment for all children (including those with special needs)

Manage physical space to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment

Identify and discuss quality care issues relating to health, safety, and nutritional components essential for providing quality care including routines, daily schedule, and the physical arrangement of the indoor and outdoor play areas

Apply safe and healthy practices that comply with state regulations

Implement basic health practices and prevention procedures of workers and children regarding childhood illness and communicable diseases

Implement strategies to teach children health, safety, and sanitation habits

Plan, prepare, and serve safe and healthy meals and snacks

Demonstrate security and emergency procedures

Document symptoms of child abuse and neglect and use appropriate procedures to report suspected abuse or neglect to the designated authorities

Identify and practice appreciation for diversity, including diversity in family units and roles 

Describe and recognize the importance of the child’s family and its role as the child’s first teacher in enhancing safe and healthy learning

Plan communication strategies to strengthen parent, program relationships

Implement skills to build positive relationships with families

Demonstrate ability to share information with families regarding developmental issues and concerns related to children

Implement strategies for constructive and supportive interactions between children and families

Determine community resources available to children and their families 

Identify and organize resources within the community to enhance family well-being

Identify, describe, and discuss stressors and potential stressors that may affect children, families and early care and education teachers 

Describe methods for facilitating respectful, reciprocal relationships in Early Childhood settings (adult/adult, adult/child, child/child, and child/adult) 

Analyze goals, benefits, and uses of assessment, particularly its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies 

Establish assessment partnerships with families and with professional colleagues to build effective learning environments

Analyze cultural and environmental influences when assessing children’s development  

Identify and practice various observations, recording methods in order to: observe and interpret each child’s growth and development, plan appropriate curriculum, assess each child’s well-being, assess safe and healthy practices, and promote positive outcomes for each child

Demonstrate observation skills to assess the Developmental Appropriateness of the learning environments for the various ages: infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school agers 

Analyze abilities and needs of children and their effects on children’s growth and development

Discuss Developmentally Appropriate Practices in terms of chronological age and developmental levels and in terms of appropriateness of activities and environments for children from birth through age eight 

Develop, integrate, and implement Developmentally Appropriate strategies that promote the child’s social, self, cognitive, creative, physical, and communication development

Implement learning activities in all curriculum areas that meet the developmental needs for children 

Model and integrate problem solving techniques with the young child to enhance his or her learning

Explore and identify various theories regarding guidance strategies for children

Describe and implement developmentally appropriate guidance practices 

Identify and recognize effective, quality programs for young children in various settings 

Explore the role of technology in programs for young children

Demonstrate content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts – music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts: mathematics: science, physical activity, physical education, health and safety; social studies that promote comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for young children 

Apply the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines 

Synthesize own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child

Implement an integrated curriculum that incorporates a child’s language, learning styles, home experiences, and cultural values

Analyze a variety of curriculum and instructional models for appropriateness in meeting children’s developmental needs and interests 

Recognize and explore various curriculums and settings for early childhood education programs

Describe and discuss components of professionalism including rights of families to confidentiality, respect for cultural diversity, the NAEYC Code of Ethics, CDA and Accreditation standards, state licensing regulations, and membership in professional organizations 

Study the history, theories, and foundations of early childhood education

Evaluate present and determine future professional goals while exploring opportunities in the field of early childhood, advocacy, organizations, and resources

Demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to program goals and the welfare of children

Recognize the value of and learn strategies to develop positive communication strategies, enhance cooperation, and establish beneficial relationships within an early childhood facility

Examine factors that contribute to maintaining safe and healthy work and community environments

Identify primary elements of Indiana’s licensing requirements for early care and education 

Implement federal, state, and local standards, policies, regulations, and laws that affect children, families, and programs

Identify and discuss issues for effective program management operations 

Apply business management skills needed for planning businesses related to early childhood education 

Identify opportunities for continuing training and education