Introduction
Overview to the Text
Welcome to Washington State’s collaboratively written textbook designed for ECED& 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education course. This course is found in the common course inventory in Washington State and is one of the first courses in the ECE Initial Certificate. This course holds a set of common student learning outcomes that are aligned with Washington State Core Competencies as published by the Department of Children Youth and Families.
Although the authors feel that we have included rich information that meets the needs of students taking an introductory course in the field, individual instructors might choose to add additional materials, edit or move chapters to fit their communities. It is our hope that you will find the book to be a foundational piece to your introductory course keeping in mind that our vision for the book was much like going to your favorite buffet restaurant . . . you get a little bit about a whole big field.
The authors also recognize that becoming an early childhood professional is influenced by our individual identities and lived experiences as well as by our caring interactions with families and community contexts. Chapters in this book will support your growth to connect who you are to your growing identity as an early childhood educator who supports joyful, equitable and inclusive learning experiences for the children and families you will work with in your communities.
Objectives
The book aligns with the following common course student learning outcomes. In addition, each chapter will include objectives discussed in that particular chapter.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Explain current theories and ongoing research in early care and education
- Describe the role of play in early childhood programs
- Compare early learning program models.
- Explain the importance of developing culturally responsive partnerships with families.
- Identify appropriate guidance techniques used in early care education settings
- Describe the observation, assessment,and teaching cycle used to plan curriculum for all young children. Apply the professional code of ethics for early care and education to resolve dilemmas.
- Describe major historical figures, advocates, and events shaping today’s early childhood field.
Context for this Text
“Each and every child, beginning at birth, has the opportunity to benefit from high-quality early childhood education, delivered by an effective, diverse, well-prepared and well-compensated workforce” ~ Power to the Profession Vision Statement (2020, p. 1)
Today’s children live in an increasingly diverse world that is dynamic and changing . . . minute by minute. What remains constant in the minds of people who make the profession of early education a part of their world is that the work involves learning about yourself as much as it does learning about the field of early learning and the children and families we serve.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an organization that guides the work that we do every day. NAEYC’s Power to the Profession initiative is a framework to unify the field. Pieces of the framework have guided this textbook, and to that end, the authors would like to share common terminology used through the text that supported our efforts and give context to the text.
Early childhood is defined as the period of life that includes pre-birth through age 8. The field is referred to as early childhood education and encompasses education and care provided in all types of settings for children birth to age 8. While reading the text, keep in mind that every state has unique and sometimes complex systems, and the focus of this text is based on Washington State policies, licensing laws, and education requirements.
Education is defined as a series of learning experiences with related and age-appropriate assessments of learning within a program. Programs may be called childcare centers, preschools, child development centers or family home early learning programs. Programs might also include components of parent education or home visiting. Settings in a home environment in Washington State are referred to as Friends, Families and Neighbors (FFN) and programs for children ages 5 to 8 include kindergarten as well as primary grades and can be found in publicly funded or privately funded settings.
Probably the most common term throughout this text will be the use of the word teacher because “it is the broadest term, it captures most of the job responsibilities, commands society’s respect, and is, after all, what children usually call the adults who care for and educate them no matter what the setting” (Bredekamp, 2011, p. 21).
Welcome to this journey. It is a beautiful and fulfilling one.
References
Bredekamp, S. (2011). Effective practices in early childhood education: Building a foundation. Merrill.
Power to the Profession Task Force. (2020, March). Unifying framework for the early childhood education profession. Power to the Profession. https://powertotheprofession.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Power-to-Profession-Framework-03312020-web.pdf
