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- The Early Childhood Professional
The Early Childhood Professional
Everything you do in your setting with young children and families in your setting requires a commitment to professionalism. Your conduct should always reflect best practices in Early Childhood Education. As an early childhood educator, you are a life-long learner- meaning you are engaged in an ongoing process of remaining current on the latest Early Childhood Education research and best practices, refining your own practices and growing as a professional. This course will cover all aspects of professionalism and what it means to be a professional in Early Childhood Education.
Those of us who work in this profession know that often, we do not receive the respect we deserve for what it is we do... care for and educate the most vulnerable and precious tiny humans. We do this during the most influential time in their lives, between birth and age five. Being an early care and education provider, we work hard. We are educated and experienced in what we do. And yet, we are often referred to as "babysitters" and "daycare workers." These two terms need to be deleted. What e do is far from babysitting and we care for children, not days. In order to change the demeaning perspective and opinions others have about us, all of us need to be committed to being professionals and correct all those who use those terms when referring to us. In this course, we will be learning what is required of us in order to be viewed as professionals. If we ever expect to demand respect and a worthy wage, all of us need to step up and do our part.
CDA Subject Area(s) and hours covered by this course:
- CDA Subject Area 6 Maintaining a Commitment to Professionalism
Major Course Objectives:
- Explain how to educate young children with intentionality and reflection
- Demonstrate the ability to make ethical decisions
- Articulate your own values, vision, and passion for the Early Childhood profession
- Describe ways we can advocate for children and families
Students will complete reading assignments, complete assignments to be submitted online, participate on discussion boards and on weekly Zoom meetings with their classmates and instructor.