Title: Core Knowledge and Competencies, Professional Standards for Working with Children Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs
1Core Knowledge and Competencies,Professional
Standards for Working with Children Birth Through
Age Eight and in Afterschool Programs
- NJ Instructor Approval Orientation
- Lesson 2
2Welcome to Lesson 2!
- Before you start Lesson 2, please download and
print - Core Knowledge and Competencies at
http//www.pinj.org/index.php?catcore - Instructor Orientation Quiz 2 at Instructor Quiz
2 - You may want to have the Lesson 2 quiz in front
of you as you read this lesson
3- Professional Impact NJ has developed four
tools to assist and guide administrators,
teachers, and advocates interested in best
practices in the early care and education and
afterschool professions
4Tools
- Core Knowledge and Competencies (Core Knowledge),
Professional Standards for Working With Children
Birth Through Age Eight and in Afterschool
Programs - The New Jersey Registry Career Lattice
- The New Jersey Registry for Childhood
Professionals Serving Children Birth Through Age
Thirteen - The Instructor Approval System
5Core Knowledge and Competencies
- Is based on the underlying premise that all
- children, including children with special health
- and development needs , learn best in
- environments where
- Adults recognize and understand the need for the
development of a relationship that will be
inclusive of the childs family - Learning opportunities are meaningful and
relevant
6- Children can construct their knowledge of the
world through activities and interactions with
others - Childrens individual needs are reflected,
recognized, and addressed in accordance with the
culture of the children, their families and their
communities - Health and safety are integral components of
child care and educational program activities and
learning
7- Core Knowledge and Competencies
- Is the basis for the professional development and
education essential for ongoing professional
development - Provides the foundation for the NJ Registry
Career Lattice, the NJ Registry and the
Instructor Approval System, which are all
integral parts of New Jerseys Professional
Development System for Early Care and Education
and Afterschool
8There are seven Core Knowledge Areas within Core
Knowledge and Competencies. They are
- Child Growth and Development
- Curriculum
- Family and Community Relationships
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Professionalism and Leadership
- Program Organization and Management
- Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Activities
9- Each Core Knowledge Area includes
- Definitions and explanations of key concepts
- Competency Levels, which are progressive
observable skills required for a professional to
work effectively with children, their families
and other professionals, ranging from Level I to
X on the NJ Registry Career Lattice - All Core Knowledge Areas are intrinsically
interrelated and interdependent
10For Example
- Core Knowledge Area Child Growth and Development
- Definition Professionals providing early
childhood education, primary education, family
child care, and afterschool care require
knowledge of child growth and development to
ensure developmentally appropriate practice for
all children, including children with special
developmental, linguistic, cultural, learning and
medical needs. All children must have a safe
and healthy learning environment that is both
consistent and predictable as they grow and learn
socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively,
linguistically and creatively.
11Example (Cont.)
- Key concept Growth, development, and learning
are progressive. - Explanation Each stage has distinct
characteristics. - Competency Levels IA and IBsome skills necessary
for working in the field - Know that there are developmental stages of
childhood - Recognize the importance of play in childrens
growth and development
12NOW, go to Core Knowledge and Competencies and to
the Core Knowledge Area of your choice.
- Read and become familiar with
- The definitions
- The key concepts and explanations
- The Competency Levels
13UsingCore Knowledge and Competencies
- Program Administrators
- Create job classifications
- Develop job descriptions
- Recruit/hire staff
- Evaluate, appraise, retain staff
- Plan professional development
- Set and monitor policies
- Guide/track career path
- Collect staff data
- Direct Service Professionals
- Enter the early childhood professional
development system - Guide career advancement
- Conduct a self-evaluation of professional growth
within levels - Explore options for professional growth across
levels
14Using Core Knowledge and Competencies (cont.)
- Professional Support Staff
- Determine professional growth within levels
- Develop lesson plans for professional development
provided to directors/caregivers - Support/update information developed as guidance
material for directors/caregivers - Guide consultation and resulting recommendations
to providers/caregivers
- Regulatory/Policy/Funding Entities
- Influence recommendations provided to enhance
quality in regulated child care/education
programs - Assess, evaluate, and maintain regulations and
policies related to administrative and
programmatic issues for the scope for child
care/education programs - Provide guidance to funders who support enhanced
quality programs for children ages birth to
thirteen
15Using Core Knowledge and Competencies (cont.)
- Providers of Professional Development
- Develop course work, professional
developments/workshops and conferences - Mentor, advise and counsel students
- Assess competency levels
- Disseminate research
- Parents and Community Stakeholders
- Provide guidance to parents for developing an
understanding of the scope of child care and
early education - Assist parents in making informed choices about
child care and early educational opportunities
for their children - Garner support from the entire community for
quality early care and education programs for all
children
16 This is the end of Lesson 2.
- Please download, print, and completethe Lesson
2 quiz at Instructor Approval Orientation Quiz
2.before going on to Lesson 3. You may submit
the quiz electronically or by mail. -