As early childhood professionals, we must constantly set new goals for our child care programs and try to stay ahead of new trends within our field. We need to strive to mentally absorb the all best knowledge and resources available to positively influence the children throughout their care with us and in their long-term development. For instance, the field of education research, which continues to provide new insight on the growth and development of young children, provides us with findings that at times can impact how we adjust our personal approach as providers when caring for and teaching children. We may consider these research findings in the early education field as inspiration to update our goals as child care providers so the daily, monotonous routine doesn’t get the best of us.
Being a child care provider is no easy task, as we can at times create a plateau in our practice, enthusiasm, and willingness to try new things. Providers can become comfortable with the usual daily routines and the predictability of what happens day-to-day, which then leads to an almost inevitable, yet mechanical approach in our work.
As a result, planning daily activities, including special occasions and holidays, can unintentionally get pushed aside side in favor of doing what has now become automatic. Just stop to think, what is this “autopilot” mindset doing to the child care program, the children, and even the teachers?
Think of your daily actions, for example, if a specific activity or approach was a good idea once, it doesn’t mean it will necessarily be a good idea for every group of children year after year. Consider this when you get an entire new group or new individual children and how this change brings forth a new dynamic, a new set of individual differences, temperaments, energy levels, and interests.
Observant and child-directed teaching demands that we take the aforementioned factors into consideration when planning learning experiences and providing materials for children. Otherwise, the long-term educational plan will not meet the children’s needs and teachers will begin to see troublesome consequences as inattention, misbehavior, and stagnating skill development.
The most important question is, how do we prevent our routine-like actions as educators from negatively affecting children in our programs?
A good place to start is by reading the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the CDA’s Essentials for Working with Young Children, both of which serve as reminders on the responsibilities we have as educators towards young children, to our co-workers, employers, families, and to the community.
Next, it can be beneficial to set some short and long-term goals. After these have been planned, appropriate and meaningful activities can be scheduled and carried out.
Here are some ideas:
On the other hand, long-term goals can help assess and improve the overall quality of our programs with time, so it’s important to think of ideas to fulfill those goals. It may take you out of your comfort zone, but as the saying goes, “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.”
Here are some ideas:
Finally, share your goals with someone else. Choose someone who will cheer you on, motivate you, and hold you accountable to make things happen for your child care program. Maybe you and a co-worker can help each other in this regard, so you’ll both reach goals you can be proud of! Remember that being a child care provider has an essential role in shaping the lives and minds of our nation’s youngest children, and putting the right time and effort to update our approach as early educators can have a long lasting, yet positive impact in their lives.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
My mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...
We have probably all seen the commercials this time of year when you can hear the popular holiday song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, playing in the background as parents dance joyously...
Did you know early childhood educators in Maryland have a special benefit that can help them and the children they serve? The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded a $1 million grant to the...
For the first time in three years, the Education Writers Association (EWA) gathered in person for their National Seminar in Orlando last month. The event drew journalists from across the country to hear from leaders...
In April 2022, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued new guidance and an Information Memoranda (IM) announcing the long-awaited, family-friendly policy of permitting families and guardians to use proof of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program...
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
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.
