High Quality Early Years T&L

Question 1

What does the NAEYC focus on?

Answer 1

To improve the quality and accessibility of ECE programs and services, as well as the professional practice of educators and other professionals who work in the field of ECE

Question 2

What is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) ?

Answer 2

A professional organisation in the USA that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, from birth to 8 years. One of the world’s largest organisations working on behalf of young children

Question 3

What are NAEYC foundational documents?

Answer 3

• Developmentally appropriate practice
• Professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators
• Code of ethical conduct
• Advancing equity in ECE
• NAEYC early childhood program standards

Question 4

What is developmentally appropriate practice? (DAP)

Answer 4

An approach to teaching grounded in the research on how young children develop and learn in what is known about effective early education: Teaching to children’s ages, experiences, capabilities & interests

Question 5

What does the concept of developmentally appropriate practice focus on? (DAP)

Answer 5

• Age-related and individual human distinction
• Materials utilized
• Learning experiences
• Expectations for children

Question 6

What are the 3 areas of knowledge teachers consider to make a decision? (The 3 cores of DAP)

Answer 6

• Commonality: Knowing about child development and learning
• Individuality: Knowing what is individually important
• Context: Knowing what is culturally important

Question 7

Why is it important to know about child development and learning?

Answer 7

It helps to predict which experiences will support children’s learning and development

Question 8

How do we know what is individually appropriate?

Answer 8

By continually observing children’s play and interaction with the physical environment

Question 9

How does knowing what is culturally important help?

Answer 9

The effort in getting to know the children’s families, their values, and expectations that shape their lives at home can help provide meaningful and respectful learning experiences for each child and family

Question 10

How do you meet children where they are?

Answer 10

• Observe children’s engagement with materials, activities & people
• Assess what children already know and their interests
• Keep teaching goals in mind
• Plan curriculum and adapt teaching strategies

Question 11

How many standards has NAEYC set?

Answer 11

10 standards

Question 12

What are the standards of NAEYC?

Answer 12

• Relationships
• Curriculum
• Teaching
• Assessment of child progress
• Health
• Staff competencies, preparation and support
• Families
• Community relationships
• Physical environment
• Leadership and management

Question 13

What is the purpose of NAEYC standards?

Answer 13

To ensure high-quality early childhood education and care for young children up to age eight

Question 14

Why is it important to consider relationships?

Answer 14

Encourages child’s sense of worth and belonging as part of a community, fostering each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member

Question 15

How do children benefit from relationships?

Answer 15

• Helps them benefit from learning experiences
• Learn to cooperate & have a good relationship with others

Question 16

What to look for in a program in terms of relationships?

Answer 16

• Children & adults feel welcome when they visit the program
• Teachers help new children adjust to the program environment & make friends
• Teachers recognise children’s work and accomplishments
• Teaching staff are encouraging and engage in warm, friendly conversations with the children
• Children are encouraged to play and work together
• Teachers help children resolve conflicts, never physically punishing children

Question 17

What to look for in a program in terms of curriculum?

Answer 17

• How the curriculum addresses all aspects of child development
• Children given opportunities to learn & develop through exploration & play
• Teachers have opportunities to work with individual children
• Materials & equipment spark children’s interest
• Activities are designed to help children develop critical & logical thinkinh
• Infants & toddlers play with toys and art materials that “do something” based on actions, such as jack-in-the-box, play dough

Question 18

What to look for in a program in terms of teaching?

Answer 18

• Teachers carefully supervise all children
• Teachers provide time for indoor & outdoor activities
• Teachers organise time & space so that children have opportunities to work or play individually and in groups
• Children’s recent work is displayed in the classroom
• Teachers modify strategies and materials to respond to the needs & interests of individual children

Question 19

What to look for in a program in terms of assessment?

Answer 19

• Supports children’s learning using a variety of methods
• Assessment methods are appropriate for each child’s age & level of development, including all areas of development
• Teachers use methods & information to design goals for individual children and monitor their progress, and to improve the program and its teaching strategies
• Families receive information about their child’s development on a regular basis, through meetings or references

Question 20

What to look for in a program in terms of health?

Answer 20

• Teaching staff have training in pediatric first aid
• Infants are placed on their backs to sleep
• Program has policies regarding regular handwashing, routinely cleans and sanitizes all surfaces in the facility
• A clear plan for responding to illness, including how to decide whether a child needs to go home & how families will be notified
• Snacks and meals are nutritious, food prepared & stored safely

Question 21

Why is it important to consider staff competencies, preparation & support?

Answer 21

Teachers who have specific preparation, knowledge & skills in child development and ECE are more likely to provide positive interactions, richer language experiences and quality learning environments

Question 22

What to look for in a program in terms of staff competence?

Answer 22

• Teaching staff have qualifications and specialised knowledge about young children and early childhood development
• Program makes provisions for ongoing staff development (eg: orientations for new staff & opportunities to continue education)
• Teaching staff have training in the program’s curriculum and work as a team

Question 23

What to look for in a program for families?

Answer 23

• All families are welcome and encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the program
• Teachers and staff talk with families on their structure and views on child raising, using that information to adapt the curriculum and teaching methods to the families served
• Various strategies are used to communicate with families
• Program information provided in a language that families can understand

Question 24

What to look for in a program in terms of community relationships?

Answer 24

• Program connects with and uses museums, zoos, etc.
• Representatives from community programs (musical performers and local artists) are invited to share their interests and talents with the children
• Staff develop relationships with community agencies that further the program’s capacity to meet the needs and interests of children & families

Question 25

Why is it important to consider the physical environment of a program?

Answer 25

An organised, properly equipped, and well-maintained program environment facilitates the learning, comfort, health and safety of the children & adult who use the program

Question 26

What to look for in a program in terms of the physical environment?

Answer 26

• Facility is designed for staff to supervise all children by sight and sound
• Program has necessary furnishings, such as hand-washing sinks and child-sized furniture
• Various materials & equipment appropriate for children’s ages, skills & abilities available and kept clean, safe, and in good repair
• Outdoor play areas have fences or natural barriers to prevent access to streets and other hazards
• First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire alarms and other safety equipment are installed and available

Question 27

What to look for in a program in terms of leadership and management?

Answer 27

• Administrator has the necessary educational qualifications: A degree from college & specialised courses in ECE, child development and related fields)
• Program is licensed and/or regulated by the applicable state agency
• Program’s written policies and procedures are shared with families
• Appropriate group sizes and ratios of teaching staff to children

Question 28

What challenges does Malaysia have with ECE implementation?

Answer 28

• Urban vs rural disparities
• Private vs public provision
• Cultural and linguistic diversity
• Government initiatives

Question 29

What principles are the code of ethics based on?

Answer 29

• Every child is unique, they develop and learn in different ways and at different rates
• The environment has a role in supporting & extending children’s growth, development & learning
• Loving, responsive and secure relationships form the basis of children’s development: confidence, independence and resilience
• Shared responsibility with families & support from communities enhance children’s learning, development and well-being