Professionalism In Early Childhood Education

Sheleilee Marie Sullivan
Self-Assessment
01/19/2013
Professionalism

What is a profession? According to Merriam Webster Dictionary Online a profession is defined as a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation. In the United States today an early education teacher is not considered a professional teacher. A teacher who is not teaching kindergarten through twelfth grade, or a college course, is not viewed as a professional teacher. The reason for this is simple; until recently, there has been very little call to recognize the education and skills required to teach young children. In recent years, however, through education, and development standards, and requirements have been
Through Child Development and years of experience with children as a teacher in a childcare setting in various countries, and in a lab, I have developed an understanding of developmental theories, along with an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices. I have learned the importance of play for a child’s growth and development. I have developed an understanding of observation, documentation, and assessment and the importance of it in order to create a developmentally appropriate meaningful and challenging curriculum that focuses on the interests and needs of the child as well as the other children in the classroom. I have also worked with children with Individual Education Plans (IEP) and Individual Family Support Plans (IESP). Finally I have developed an understanding of diversity and the need for culturally appropriate materials and inclusion in the
Knowledge of principles and environmental factors which promote good health in young children. B...Understanding of safety principles and environmental factors that prevent and reduce injuries. C. Understanding of nutritional needs of young children and appropriate food practices reverent to caring for them. D. Knowledge of health care and educational activities that reflect cultural variations in health and nutritional practices. E. Knowledge of signs of emotional distress and child abuse and neglect in young children and follows appropriate procedures to report suspected abuse and neglect to designated authorities. (www.miaeyc.org –Core Knowledge and Core Competencies for Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals Revised: January 8th 2003) After having reviewed the Heath Safety and Nutrition core knowledge area, I feel that this is my weakest areas of core knowledge. Having not yet taken Health Safety and Nutrition, however, having worked with children and having a young child of my own, I feel secure in my knowledge of health and safety. When it comes to nutrition, I am sadly lacking in knowledge. Thus my confidence in this area is minimal and I often find myself referring to books and websites for information and will continue to do so until I can fit Health Safety and Nutrition into my busy academic