- Early childhood educators have to be more than just teachers. Many children come from single-parent homes or live with relatives, and they have more issues to deal with today than they might have twenty years ago. Because of this, schools are realizing the importance of having teachers who are trained to observe and detect early behavioral problems. Teachers have the opportunity to attend staff training and workshops that are taught by social workers and counselors--as well as psychologists who can inform them about specific actions of children that may signal areas of concern.
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Although early childhood educators are not licensed social workers, they can be taught strategies and techniques that will help a child who is coping with a behavioral problem. This is most beneficial, especially considering the fact that a teacher usually spends more time on average with a child than her parents.
When parents meet with their child's counselor or social worker, the teacher is included in the decision-making process. This may happen directly, with the teacher actually being a part of the behavioral committee or indirectly with the teacher's documentation of observations and opinions being used as a major resource.
Behavioral interventions are written by professionals, but are most effectively implemented by the teacher. One way that teachers are now being utilized is through the Positive Behavior Support System; this system uses proven methods of reaching children in order to improve problem behaviors among individual students. That will also build a safer school environment. - The early childhood educator functions as the liaison between the student and her caregiver. Teachers are no longer kept out of the loop of communication between students, parents and behavioral specialists. A teacher has one of the earliest relationships that a child establishes outside the home; therefore, the nurturing of that relationship sets the stage for interaction between the child and behavioral staff. The teacher also provides the avenue by which the professional caregiver is able to gauge progress. The Positive Behavior Support System cites evidence that teachers play an essential part in helping students overcome behavioral disabilities.
