ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

In most early childhood teacher preparation programs the college students (candidates) have a wide variety of assignments to complete in order to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and depositions which support the growth and development of young children. The candidates, for example, are required to observe various aspects of young children’s development (emotional, social, cognitive, language, motor, and even values development).

“Excuse me… Dr. Bill? Where do we go to do our observations?” the college students ask?

The candidates are provided with a listing of a wide variety of early childhood settings to choose from including child care centers, Head Start programs, after school programs, boys and girls clubs, family child care programs, infant and toddler programs, preschool programs in public schools, Kindergartens and first to third grade classrooms in elementary schools.

The college students now have the wonderful opportunity to see the dynamics of the environment, the staff, children, parents, and curriculum. Many college or university Early Childhood Education programs provide courses where students observe, participate, plan, organize, and implement learning activities (including learning centers, project approaches, lesson plans, and even design and implement unit study). The courses increase in complexity and require the college students to become more and more involved in the Early Care and Education settings.

“Dr. Bill? Who will be observing us and working with us?”

The Early Care and Education Program Staff become mentors, guides, and supports for our future teachers of young children. It is their guidance and open supportive attitude that is such an important component to preparing future teachers and leaders in our field. The college students come into the programs to learn, to share ideas, try out activities, and lend a hand in the daily operations of the program. Mentoring, guiding, supporting and sharing the love of young children’s growth and development! Contact the community college, four year college, or university to see if they have an Early Childhood Education or Human Development program. Candidates from such majors as psychology, sociology, oceanography, geography, geology, physical education, nutrition, and dentistry have worked with Early Care and Education programs, staffs, and children!

Early Care and Education Programs and College Students! U-Rah! “No, it’s U-Rock!”

Contributed by “Dr. Bill” Strader,
Co-Coordinator, NAEYC Student Interest Forum, Professor, Early Childhood Education, Johnson & Wales University

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