ECED 263 Foundations of Early Childhood Education

Dr. Patricia Pinciotti

Becoming an ESU Pre K-4 TeacherSyllabi

Admittance to Pre K 4 Program

Beginning Educator Portfolio – Next TuesdayMaterials

1 ½ Binder, 5 dividers, Plastic sleeves (10-20)Copy in a Plastic Sleeve:

Student Evaluation, PRAXIS I, 3 Clearance, TB

HousekeepingAssignments: For Tuesday

Reading: Essential!

Chapter One & Chapter Two

Check it out!

Find two interesting items on each website

Place them in Concertina Book ESU College of Education NAEYC – check out website National Head Start website Pennsylvania State Aligned System - PASAS

Continuity and Change in Early

Childhood EducationChapter 1

ECE ~ A rewarding profession Why are you here?

People Search

Why do ECE Educators stay in the field? They know their work

makes a difference in the lives of children and families

What is Early Childhood Education?

Highly diverse field that serves children from birth through age 8 In PA – Birth through grade 4

ECE teachers are professionalsThey make decisions based on a specialized body

of knowledgeContinue to learn through their careerCommitted to providing the best care and

education possible for every child

A Field on the RISE…Early childhood benefits from

Increasing public recognitionRespectFunding

7 out of 10 voters wanted state and local government to provide prekindergarten for all children

ECE programs essential for school readiness and long-term success in life

The Landscape of ECEECE language consistent with National

Association for the Education of the Young Child (NAEYC)Founded in 1962, located in Washington DCMission is to act on behalf of the needs, rights, and

well-being of young children from birth to age 8.

Early Childhood Education StandardsPreparation of Teachers at every levelAdministration of an Accreditation system

Professional Development: Resources, Publications, Conferences

Early Childhood EducatorsNAEYC ~ Work with various groups:

Infants and toddlers: birth to 36 months Preschoolers: 3-4 year olds Kindergartners: 5-6 year olds Primary grades 1, 2, and 3: 6-7-8 year olds

PA ~ Work with various groups: Infants and toddlers: birth to 36 months Preschoolers: 3-4 year olds Kindergartners: 5-6 year olds Primary grades 1, 2, 3 and 4: 6-7-8-9 year olds

Child CareTypically refers to care and education provided for

young children during the hours that their parents are employed

Type types of group programs: Child care centers Family child care homes

Before and after school care

Infants through age 9

Funded by parent tuition or subsidized for low-income families

PreschoolServes children 3 & 4 prior to kindergarten

Operators: Churches, temples, or other faith-based organizations Parent cooperatives Laboratory school

Other names: Nursery school, Pre Kindergarten, Child Care Center

Funding: Parent tuition – more middle-upper income families Public funding- more low income families

Public Pre K programs and Head Start and

Public Prekindergarten Pre K – preschools funded by the state and local

departments of education

Fastest growing sector of the field 1980 96,000 preschoolers By 2005 increase of over 1 million children

Primary purpose: To improve schools readiness National Education Goals Panel, 1995 include:

Physical development, health and safety Social-emotional development and learning Cognitive development & general knowledge (math/science) Positive approaches to learning - curiosity and motivation Language development and early literacy skills including the

arts

Head StartFederally funded, national program that

promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 3, 4, & 5.

Provides educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services to the nations poorest children and families

Parent involvement essential component - volunteering, governance, move out of poverty

12% of Head Start enrollment is children with disabilities; 33% speak a language other than English

Early Head Start (1995) serves low-income pregnant mothers, infants and toddlers & healthy family functioning

Early Intervention andEarly Childhood Special Education

Serves children with disabilities or special needs who meet eligibility guidelines that are determined on a state-by-state basis, according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Early Intervention – services for infants and toddlers who are at risk of developmental delay and their families

Inclusion – Participation and services for children with disabilities and special needs in programs and settings where their typically developing peers are served.

Kindergarten and Primary GradesKindergarten – first year of formal schooling

Enrolling 5 & 6 year olds; legal entrance age varies

Primary Grades – first, second and third (fourth in PA) where they acquire the fundamental abilities of reading and mathematics along with the foundation of other academic disciplines

Good foundation = less likely to struggleLearning to read….then read to learn

Choice: within districts and in Charter Schools

Early Childhood Expansion1965 – 60% of 5 year olds went to school;

Today 95%

1960 – 10% of 3 & 4s enrolled in ECE programs; 2005 – 60% are in some type of preschool program

Increased demand: Preschool is now the beginning of school whether mothers are employed or not

Related to increased demand for working families63% of women/child under 6 in labor force59% of women/child under 3 in labor force

Access to ECE programsYoung children who live in poverty – less likely to

attend preschool than middle or higher income families 89% ($100,00) compared to 55% ($20,000-30,000)

Head Start and state funded Pre K programs increased participation rates for low income families – serve only about 60%

Variations in Participation Mothers education – 87% of college grads vs 55% high

school dropouts Ethnicity of 4 year olds: 75% African Americans, 69%

white children; 59% Hispanic