Working with Young Children

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Working with Young Children

• ECS 110

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Questions to ask when considering a career in ECS.

• Is there a need for people trained in ECE? If so,
  why?
• What are the responsibilities of Early Childhood
  Educators?
• What are the personal characteristics required to
  be successful in this field?

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1. Creating a Need-Social and Economic Changes

• Changes in Family
• Traditional family structure almost extinct
• Women becoming more highly educated
• More single parents
• Less women stay home with children
• Larger economic demands

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1. Creating a Need-Social and Economic Changes

• Changes in employers attitudes
• By providing child-care benefits, companies are
  reporting
• Positive effects on recruitment
• Better morale and productivity
• Turnover and absenteeism are reduced
• Ease of scheduling
• Quality of workforce is improved

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1. Creating a Need-Social and Economic Changes

• Changes in Educational Attitudes
• Parents are more aware of childrens
  developmental needs and are increasingly looking
  for quality environments to place their children
  in.

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2. Responsibilities and Duties

• Plan, organize and lead activities for children
  that encourage intellectual, physical and
  emotional growth.
• Observe children for signs of learning
  disabilities or emotional problems.
• Discuss progress or problems with parents and
  staff members.
• Early childhood educator assistants take care of
  preschool children under the supervision of early
  childhood educators. They also maintain daycare
  equipment and assist in housekeeping duties.

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3. Characteristics of Successful Teachers

• Fondness for children Children need to feel
  loved and safe to develop.
• Patience Children need time to explore and be
  creative.
• Compassion The teacher needs to take part and
  respond to every childs emotions.

• Confidence Having confidence will allow you to
  feel relaxed.
• Sense of Humour A more cheerful teacher will
  make a more cheerful child.
• Commitment Demands are high, job can be very
  demanding.
• Personal Desire You need to be doing this for
  the right reasons.