Issues and Trends: Changing Demographics and Diversity

As an early childhood educator, I like to stay informed about current trends and issues in the field. As a result, I have joined several professional organizations including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

The organization’s website offers help to early childhood educators in the areas of: accreditations, conferences, research, public policy and developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). Their publications include: Young Children, Teaching Young Children/Preschool, Early Childhood Research Quarterly and Voices of Practitioners and NAEYC Radio. I subscribe to Teaching Young Children/Preschool. This magazine is very useful to me in keeping up with current trends and developmentally appropriate practices. I would recommend this site and publication to anyone teaching or interested in the field of early childhood.

In Teaching Young Children/Preschool, Vol 4, No.1, you can find:

A glossary of early childhood terms;

Reflective questions for educators;

Conversations with lead teachers;

Ideas for supporting dual language learners;

Easing the transition from home to school;

Ways to utilize materials more effectively in the early childhood setting;

Parents supporting their child’s learning;

What children do and learn in the educational setting;

Resource lists for books and magazines to read with children;

Ideas for balancing work and life; and

Information for Professional Development

Articles include: Powerful Interactions Begin with You; Engaging Families in Preschool Programs; Children’s Transitions with Personalized Books; Listen, Talk, Answer – Support Your Child’s Learning; Magazines in the Preschool Classroom; Teaching Preschoolers to Think Optimistically; A Trip to the Vet; The Friendly Frogs Visit Second Grade; and Work-Life Balance.

I was drawn to a new feature called “A Glossary of Early Childhood Terms”. This issue’s term is reflective teacher. The article states

 “A reflective teacher considers what she knows about a child or situation, child development theory, and past experiences, then uses new knowledge and insights to plan next steps in teaching and learning.

            “In action a reflective teacher watches children’s play, documents children’s conversations, studies notes and photos to learn what is significant, reads professional literature, exchanges information with families, and applies this new information to plan ways to engage a child and encourage learning.

           

“Reflective teachers are curious about and delight in children’s perspectives. They are eager to discover and use multiple approaches to support the amazing process of children’s development. Their professional development takes place daily in their classrooms as they watch and think about their work with children.” (NAEYC)

            Too often times, I think I miss this reflection in the busy-ness of my daily routine and eagerness to get it all done. This article reminds me to stop and reflect on each child in my classroom and to be abreast of current child development theories and best practices. I currently enjoy exchanges with families of my students and applying new information to engage children in the learning process. I will take time this week to stop and delight in a child’s perspective and remember that professional development takes place daily in my classroom.

You can find more information at: http://www.naeyc.org/

Resources:

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (October/November 2010). Teaching Young Children/Preschool, 4(1), p.5.