Listed on the NAEYC website is an area that includes professional development. There is a list of face to face training, online trainings, trainings that are on dvd's, accreditation trainings, conferences, and trainings resources. The one's that pertains closely to my personal and professional development is accreditation and a face to face training that include communication skills for challenging conversations.
The center that I currently am in charge of is about to go through the NAEYC accreditation. There are several things that I need to ensure that I am on top of. The information in this training will give me the essential information that I need to lead my through the accreditation process. On the other hand, being more knowledgeable of effective ways to communicate when put in challenging situations is also a plus. As educators, we will be placed in situations where we will be yelled at and much more. I need to tools to assist me in the more challenging conversations.
A resource that was provided to make me think about an issue in a different way is an article that implies that cultivating good relationships with families can make hard times easier which is from the Young Children column, "Rocking and Rolling: Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families".
This articles simply state that if educators communicate with parents on an ongoing basis letting them know that they know best but we are here to assist and help them, parents will feel more comfortable talking where more serious issues arise.
The website contains information under heading titled Association Relation that adds to my understanding on how the early childhood field is supported. It states, "NAEYC and our Affiliates work together to raise the quality of early childhood programs and to continue building the Association as a high-performing organization, strengthened by diversity and inclusion. Affiliates are represented by the Affiliate Council, an NAEYC advisory body providing leadership and guidance to further strengthen the capacity of the NAEYC Affiliate Network" (http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc).
One insight that I gained this week from exploring the website is the fact that there is an area that includes journal articles and information about educational research. "Voices of Practitioners: Teacher Research in Early Childhood Education is NAEYC's peer-reviewed, professional online journal. Its main purpose is to provide a vehicle for publishing the research of early childhood teachers, who are often underrepresented as authors in the educational research arena. This publication includes informative articles, resources, and tools to promote the participation of early childhood teachers in teacher research. Voices of Practitioners is published three times a year in February, May, and October" (http://www.naeyc.org/publications/vop/about).
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Katrina,
ReplyDeleteI want to respond to you thoughts on the NAEYC article you mentioned, "Rocking and Rolling: Supporting Infants, Toddlers, and Their Families". I would imagine that communicating to and respecting parents as experts on their own children would not only make them feel more comfortable, but would be highly empowering as well. From my experience, when people are empowered, regardless of their circumstance, they are more likely to reach out and assist others whereas problems often keep us focused on ourselves and our issues. Have you personally witnessed this being of support to a struggling family or have found empowerment and comfort in others during a rough time yourself?
Katrina,
ReplyDeleteI am also exploring NAEYC's site. I am impressed with the subjects and quality of their peer-reviewed articles. Positive and effective communication with parents and understanding of different family values and cultures is part of becoming an effective educator. I look forward to reading more of the articles they publish.
Carolina
Good luck on your center going through accreditation! Having experienced it in many centers of ours, the journey will be long at times but very rewarding!
ReplyDelete~Tammra,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! When parents feel as though they are empowered, they respond better. I have been in various situations and depending on the relationship that I have with the parent, the outcome. Some parents with certain degrees I can not explain anything too. And then there are some with the same degree or higher, that will listen and take feedback and move on. Nevertheless, I have to agree that when parents feel empowered they communicate better.
Thanks for pointing that out.
~Carolina,
The articles are great!
~Maisey78
Thanks
Katrina,
ReplyDeleteI am especially interested in the section on tough conversations. It is always difficult to communicate what is perceived as a developmental difference or delay to parents. Unfortunately, parents tend to get pretty defensive about this.
Barbara