What Is Professionalism in Early Childhood Education?

Once upon a time, early childhood education was all about what Mom did with her children. It was about finger paint, coloring books and clay. It may have involved watching Miss Jean or some other morning "teaching show." Some children went to "preschool" a couple of days a week. However, it was not until kindergarten that children received some basic "how-to" when it came to attending school and learning. That has all changed with an increased emphasis on professionalism in early childhood education.

History

In the early 1920s, educators began the nursery school movement. At about the same time, an organization known as the National Association for Nursery Education began, taking on the mission of making sure the programs were of a high quality. The movement toward a professional early childhood educator reached a crescendo in the late 1980s, as more and more children were involved in day care outside the home because Mom and Dad both worked. The National Association for the Education of Young Children, into which NANE transformed, made quality early childhood education its goal, creating a voluntary set of accreditation standards for day care outlets and preschools. The Trust for Early Education is taking it even further. The trust's mission, according to its website, is "to ensure that every American child, regardless of income or background, has access to a high quality prekindergarten education that allows him or her to enter school ready to learn, and to begin life prepared to succeed." Such quality education is essential, the trust claims, because it sets up success later in life.

What's the difference?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children defines early childhood "professionals" as "individuals who provide direct services to young children (from birth through age 8) and their families, as well as those who administer the programs in which these individuals work and those who provide professional development for these individuals." In practical terms, that means pretty much everyone from the day care provider and teacher to those who drive the bus. To attain that "professionalism" bar, however, requires some work.

Considerations

Many paths are available to people who want to focus their career on the under-8 set. In addition to two- and four-year degrees, professional development is offered by agencies such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The association sponsors seminars and training sessions. Other professional development is available through the federal government, such as through Head Start and Early Head Start training and technical help. Others are available on a local level, through child care resource centers as well as state and local education associations. Such training and education is twofold. In addition to classwork, early childhood education professionals also receive on-the-job training under the guidance of a mentor. All of the training is age-specific, geared toward the age of the children with whom the teacher will be working.

Benefits

The Trust for Early Education has as one of its goals to ensure that child care providers and prekindergarten teachers have degrees. Its website notes that while all of the states require a bachelor's degree for kindergarten teachers, less than half require a degree for prekindergarten. Just one requires a degree for its child care providers. While reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmetic are the three "r's" when a child reaches grammar school, there are three other "r's" that are just as important while he is on his way, according to the National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education. Those "r's" are relationships, resilience and readiness. Loving relationships provide for the very basic of a child's needs--lending security and confidence. Some children overcome obstacles better than others. Teaching them that resilience helps ensure success in later challenges. Readiness for school involves good health, good relationships and good educational activities. The professional early childhood educator provides support in all three areas, giving a child a good boost toward grade school.

Parental Involvement

Parents need to be advocates for their children and search out quality programs until such quality is a universal standard. To that end, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has many resources on its website to help parents ensure a quality early education for their children. The National Association for the Education of Young Children also provides voluntary accreditation for preschools and child care centers. Parents can search at the website for accredited providers near them.

References

• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• The Trust for Early Education
• National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education