Navigating Your Career Path
Each year I update my professional bio and pause at the part where it says, “Rachel Robertson has worked in the field for over X years”. Not because I can’t believe it or can’t remember,...
The Council for Professional Recognition enjoyed promoting literacy in March, but as the month came to a close, we realized the need to remind everyone about the importance of literacy all year long. Literacy falls under CDA Functional Area #6: Communication. The communications training materials teach in-depth developmentally appropriate practices to promote young children’s language and early literacy learning.
For this blog, Valora Washington, Ph.D., shared her insights and experience on how you can:
When many people think about early literacy, they think about reading. But promoting literacy includes so much more than learning to read in the early years.
Even before birth, babies start to learn language skills. They are aware of familiar voices and sounds. Literacy development begins very early in life. We know that early literacy impacts school achievement and is interrelated with all of the domains of child development. The stronger children’s experiences are with language, the more likely they will experience success when learning to read.
At the Council we are very well aware that it takes a highly competent early childhood educator to promote early literacy. The CDA offers clear standards for what the teacher should know and be able to do to promote early literacy education.
Specifically, the CDA heavily emphasizes and supports early childhood educators as they deepen their practical skills in:
Early educators should remember:
The likelihood of an early childhood educator working with children who speak two or more languages is increasing!
At the Council we advocate a clear vision for English language learners: let’s help children to speak, read and write in English while supporting the learning of their home language!
Infants and toddlers may learn English and their home language simultaneously. Remember:
We encourage the CDA community and early childhood education programs to seek professional development that enables them to create environments that support dual language learners.
Literacy is an environment-rich aspect of every child’s development.1 All of these are great ways to build a foundation for literacy with young children.
It is up to you, as the educator to select the developmentally appropriate practices per age group, development observation, and at times, engage children through activities on subjects that interest them as well. Have fun!
Source:
1 Washington, V. (2017). Essentials for Working with Young Children (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: The Council for Professional Recognition.
Each year I update my professional bio and pause at the part where it says, “Rachel Robertson has worked in the field for over X years”. Not because I can’t believe it or can’t remember,...
Teachers aren’t keen to bring up the topic of COVID, according to their Facebook posts. “I don’t think we are allowed to,” one teacher wrote. “There’s no way I’m going near that subject since it’s...
CDA®. These three little letters can change the entire trajectory of your career. The Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential is the most widely known and valued credential in early childhood education. By earning your CDA,...
Each December, people take stock of the year and think of what is to come in the new year. I am no exception. Working for an organization like the Council for Professional Recognition has been...
The Council for Professional Recognition applauds the House of Representatives on passage of the Build Back Better Act. This historic investment in early care and education will provide critically needed resources by supporting increased access to...
“If you have support and people believing in you, you can do anything,” says Rory Sipp, Senior Vice President of Acelero Learning, the largest provider of Head Start services in Nevada. He saw how true...
The Council for Professional Recognition applauds the critical investments in early care and education included in the Build Back Better Act. This historic move will help children return to stable, developmentally appropriate, high-quality care, and help parents,...
It’s the start of a new school year which means it’s a wonderful time to think about how you engage with your students’ parents. Below are five tips to think about when planning how to...
The morning sun lit a clear, blue sky as America started its day. Highways filled with traffic and railroads rumbled with trains. Planes soared into that cloudless sky, two from Boston, one from Newark and...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.