8085 Discussion 1

8085 Discussion 1: Effective Leadership in Early Childhood: Theory and Behaviors

To prepare:

· Examine the major theories of leadership and related behaviors presented in this module’s Learning Resources.

· Reflect on an early childhood context with which you are familiar. Within this context, have you observed behaviors that you have found effective?  Ineffective?

· With the same early childhood context in mind, what theories of leadership and related behaviors do you feel would be most effective? How do these theories and behaviors complement or address what you identified as effective or ineffective?

Assignment Task Part 1

Write a 1 page brief description of two leadership theories or behaviors from the literature presented that you find personally compelling.

· Include in your post a description of each of the theories or behaviors you selected and an overview of why, in terms of your values and beliefs as an educator, you were drawn to these.

· Then, provide an example of a situation in an early childhood setting where you experienced the presence or absence of the theories or behaviors you selected.

· Based on the example you provide, outline how the theories or behaviors were applied or could have been applied in a way that reflected effective leadership.

Assignment Task Part 2

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways in 125 words with in-text citations:

· Validate or provide contrasting perspectives for an aspect (or aspects) of your colleague’s posting.

· Offer an additional example of how you have experienced the presence or absence of the theories or behaviors chosen by your colleague.

· Suggest another leadership theory and/or behavior and explain how it could be beneficial to the situation your colleague described.

Assignment Task Part 3

Again, read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond to at least one additional colleague’s postings in one or more of the following ways in 125 words with in-text citations:

· Validate or provide contrasting perspectives for an aspect (or aspects) of your colleague’s posting.

· Offer an additional example of how you have experienced the presence or absence of the theories or behaviors chosen by your colleague.

· Suggest another leadership theory and/or behavior and explain how it could be beneficial to the situation your colleague described.

· Consider any responses you received earlier in the week, and respond by addressing the point(s) brought up in a way that will broaden and/or deepen the conversation.