ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

If we, as early childhood educators, want to be seen as professionals, why would we trivialize our programs by giving them silly and disrespectful names? If we want to be seen as respectful to children and families, thoughtful and knowledgable professionals, then the names of our programs must reflect that! Otherwise, we are giving the public reasons to pay us less and treat us disrespectfully.

I agree with Lynn and Sally - even more than the names we use for the children and their classes, why are we still using the terms "day care, "child care” or "preschool". I am an Early Childhood Educator. Not a baby sitter because I do not sit on the babies, I do not work at a daycare because the day takes care of itself, not in childcare or a preschool because care should always be apart of working with children or any humans and as an educator this is not something that happens before school it is school.
It is wonderful to see so many states increase the educational requirements for teachers and we still have a long way to go. We need to educate the public and ourselves that we are educators. We need look at the names we use and think is this a job or is it a career. Please take a look at what names you use when talking about your profession.

This article made me wonder how the names were developed two decades ago. Sad to say, some of those cute names live in our early childhood world today. I don't think I could pick any as favorites.

I too am disappointed with today's article! :(
I often write down the quotes and pass the article to others. Not Today!
Are you encouraging other Early Childhood professionals to come up with "silly little" names for our "cute little" children?
At the Aboriginal centre that I am now working at we just had a contest for naming the 2 playrooms. There were silly little names suggested but we are going with some that are culturally appropriate and match with what the rooms can signify. Two of the names are to do with birds that are considered wise and two of the names are from the Carrier language for the strong elements of nature the ocean and the sun.
Coming up with creative names is one thing but respect for the children and where they will be playing is another!

I always felt that the word 'preschool' was demeaning to the profession of Early Childhood Education as ECE is not just 'pre' anything - it is part of the natural learning progression starting from birth. Names that are indicative of 'sweet things, silly things, or alliteritive for the same of cuteness' are also demeaning to our profession. Let's acknowledge early learning programs with more appropriate names.