Choosing A Good Early Childhood Education Program For You And Your Toddler

Good early childhood education programs create and offer on a day to day basis a partnership between your family and their teacher caregivers. Finding a loving, caring place for your exploring toddler may take sometime so be sure to start early and give yourself an opportunity to visit several programs.

First, look for early childhood education programs licensed with either the Department of Health or the Department of Education in your state. Licensed programs must meet certain criteria for the health, safety and education of young children. Requirements vary from state to state. Call the Department of Health or the Department of Education and they can give you a list of licensed programs in your area.

Second, make phone calls, ask questions and schedule a tour. To learn what is available you may want to visit center based programs, home based programs and even interview nannies to work in your home. Talk with other parents who already have their child enrolled in a program you are interested in. Choosing an early childhood education program for your toddler is a very important and personal choice.

Third, visit several programs. Go prepared with a written list of questions. What you want to see as you visit early childhood education programs are small group sizes. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends maximum group size of 12 toddlers, with 1 teacher caregiver for no more than 6 toddlers (preferably fewer i.e. State of Connecticut requires 1 teacher caregiver for every 4 toddlers and maximum group size is 8 toddlers). This allows for a high level of supervision that toddlers require. Your state agency requirements may have different ratios.

In your toddler's early childhood education program you want to see:

o Toddlers have a primary teacher caregiver so they can develop a strong relationship together. Your toddler's teacher caregiver comes to know your toddlers individual personality, needs and cues and builds a strong positive communication with you.

o Caregivers who are positive and praise toddlers for their accomplishments. Toddlers then become more in control of themselves and positive.

o Teacher caregivers promptly respond to toddler's cries or other signs of frustration because they realize toddlers do not yet have the language skills to communicate their needs.

o Teacher caregivers are good role models by treating others kindly and with respect. As language development builds teacher caregivers encourage toddlers to use their words to resolve differences.

o Teacher caregivers smile, use pleasant voice tones, give hugs and pats on back, and hold toddlers in lap throughout the day.

o Physical space and activities are age appropriate allowing children to explore experiment and be actively involved in their learning environment.

o Teacher caregivers read to children during the day 1 on 1 on adults lap or in groups of 2 or 3 children. Teacher caregivers sing, do finger plays and act out stories with children.

o Sturdy picture books that show different cultural and racial groups, various types of families and different ages.

o Toddlers encouraged to do everyday tasks such as eating, dressing themselves, toileting, washing hands. With opportunities and support toddlers will be learning new skills and better control of their behavior.

o Teacher caregivers follow proper health and safety procedures to include hand washing and universal precautions. Written procedures are posted in designated areas in the classroom.

o Teacher caregivers directly supervise all children by sight and sound, even at nap time.

o Teacher caregivers provide curriculum so that toddlers have a variety of activities that include large-muscle play indoors and outdoors. Check to see that play equipment is safe. Equipment should be challenging for toddlers and separate from older children. Teacher child ratios should be maintained the same outside as they are in the classroom.

o Caring and responsive teacher caregivers with training and or an early childhood education specific to the toddler age.

Fourth, you want to feel that you are always welcome in your child's early childhood education center or home and can arrive at any time unannounced. Teacher caregivers see parents as the primary source of love, affection and care of their child. Teacher caregivers support parents and work to build a healthy professional relationship taking care of the whole family unit.

Fifth, toddlers are explorers and are very inquisitive about their world. They are always on the move looking for new and exciting activities and sights. Sometimes this appears to be a discipline problem however you may find that this is a toddler's challenge to understand how he/she fits into the world.

Finally, toddlers learn best through play, investigation, exploration, observation and going at their own pace. Between the ages of 1 -3 years so many exciting developments occur. You want to offer your toddler an early childhood education environment that gives him/her a chance to take part in meaningful activities either alone or in a small group. This gives your toddler an opportunity to make choices and practice his/her social skills by sharing and getting along with others. They like to pretend to do what you do, dress up like mommy or daddy, scribble with crayons, read picture books, stack blocks, kick balls, eat with a spoon and fork, string beads, do puzzles and the list goes on.

A high quality early childhood education program works with you the parents. This provides your child with the learning activities he/she needs to become an individual who feels good about themselves, can sustain themselves and grow up to be a productive member of society. Good beginnings never end!

The Benefits of Earning Your Early Childhood Education Degree Online

Do you have a love for children? Are you searching for a job that is fulfilling? Getting your Early Childhood Education Degree online may be what you are looking for. If you think there are not enough hours in the day to go back to school you probably haven't checked into getting an online degree. The internet has revolutionized the educational system. Many colleges offer online degrees for obvious reasons. It's flexible and practical. Gone are the days where you have to go to a classroom for a certain amount of time each week around someone else's schedule. If you're even remotely thinking of going back to school, it behooves you to check out the ever growing and popular online courses.

You will benefit by earning your degree online in several ways. First of all you will finally have a degree! In today's extremely competitive job market even the slightest edge will put you above someone else getting a job. If you have your degree and the other applicant does not, chances are you'll get the job. Secondly, having an Early Childhood degree is required for certain jobs in the educational field. A preschool teacher must complete a specific amount of credits before they are allowed to apply for a teaching position. Third, you will usually make more money with your degree than without.

If you're looking to get started quickly, then getting your certificate will be the fastest way. Whether it's getting your start in a daycare center, at a private residence, or working for your local community center's daycare, you need to prove that you are serious about your field. The courses you take show your commitment. Commitment builds trust. Trust helps you move up the ladder in the job market.

If you have never taken any early childhood classes you're in for a real treat. They are fun and eye opening. Classes range from child psychology to curriculum planning. One of the great benefits of taking courses is the fascinating things you'll learn about small children. Keeping things simple yet creative are all part of learning about early childhood. Once you begin taking the courses you'll find the benefits spill over into other areas of your life. Early childhood development lays the foundation for teaching as a whole. Once you obtain your degree, you'll carry these foundations with you a lifetime.

If you are looking for a job that offers versatility, a degree in Early Childhood Education might be your answer. There are several different ways to use your online degree. One way is by becoming a preschool teacher. Ages two through five years old is the age of preschoolers. If you get your degree, you will be qualified to teach this precious age group. Chances are if you're looking into getting a degree in education, then you already have some idea of what two through five year olds are like. They are high energy and lovable little ones that are eager to learn and please.

It might interest you to take this love of children even further by continuing your education online. Once you complete your Early Childhood Education and get your online degree, you can keep going and get your bachelor's degree. You can actually go further by getting your Masters and then PhD in Early Childhood Education. It's really up to you. Just remember this, it all starts with the basics, getting your Early Childhood Degree first, online.

Benefits that come from earning your online degree are far reaching. Early Education is generally thought of as children from birth to age 5 years old. Some suggest as high as 8 years old. If you have any experience with children in any capacity, you probably know how impressionable they are. Imagine the impact you can make during the formative years of learning. That's what early childhood education is all about. So perhaps the biggest benefit of getting your Early Childhood Degree will ultimately be for the children.