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Learning Resources

Required Resources

• Article: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (1993). A conceptual framework for early childhood professional development: A position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. POSITION STATEMENTS (NAEYC) by NAEYC. Copyright 1998 by National Assn for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of National Assn for the Education of Young Children in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.

• Article: National Professional Development Center on Inclusion. (2008). What do we mean by professional development in the early childhood field? Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG Child Development Institute, Author. Used by permission of the National Professional Development Center for Inclusion (NPDCI), University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

• Article: Richardson, J. (2002). Take a closer look: Reflection gives educators a chance to tap into what they've learned. Tools for Schools. National Staff Development Council. TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS by RICHARDSON, J. Copyright 2002 by National Staff Development Council. Reproduced with permission of National Staff Development Council in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.

• Article: Rigby, E., & Newman, M. J. (2000). Making a difference: Leadership in early care and education policy. Young Children. Beyond the Journal. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. BEYOND THE JOURNAL: YOUNG CHILDREN ON THE WEB. ONLINE by Elizabeth Rigby and Michelle J. Newman Copyright 2005 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduced with permission of National Association for the Education of Young Children in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.

• Course Text: Early Childhood Education Today
  
  
• • Figure 1.5, "Seventeen Competencies for Becoming a Professional: A Professional Development Checklist," p. 26

Media

• Video: Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). A call for leadership [Video File]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
  
  
• • Review Video 2 from Week 1, "A Call for Leadership"

Optional Resources

• Web Article: Leading Early Childhood Learning Communities: What Principals Should Know and Be Able to Do (Executive Summary)
  http://web.naesp.org/misc/ECLC_ExecSum.pdf

• Web Article: Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals Area VIII: Teacher Qualifications and Professional Development
  http://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/cc/provider_training_development/intro_page/publications/competencies/chapters_individuall
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  Content Review
  
  

  Directions:

  • Respond to each item. Each response should be concise and between 2–3 paragraphs in length.
  • Use MS Word to write your responses, and submit your answers to all three questions in one Word document.
  • Copy and paste each question within the document, so that your Instructor can see to which question you are responding.
  1. The NAEYC Conceptual Framework for Early Childhood Professional Development explains that "a defining characteristic of any profession is a specialized body of knowledge and competencies shared by all its members that are not shared by others" (1993, p. 5). Based on the eight elements identified in the position statement, choose two of the first seven that are of special interest to you and, for each, set and explain a goal for yourself that you believe will further your own growth and learning in this area. Then respond to the last element on professionalism by explaining two ways that you can demonstrate you are making "a commitment to professionalism" (p. 5).
     
     
  2. From your reading of the article "What Do We Mean by Professional Development in the Early Childhood Field?" summarize key points about professional development from the six guiding assumptions presented on pages 2 and 3. Identify at least one point that offered you a new insight about professional development in the early childhood field and explain why.
     
     
  3. According to the article on reflection, "Take a Closer Look," describe what is meant by reflective practice. Although the article places reflective practice in the context of a school, explain how you could use reflective practice to support your growth as an early childhood professional in whatever setting you may work./10.pdf