The Advanced Standards are designed to set high expectationsfor every early childhood professional and to ensure all professionals have avision of excellence for every child. The National Association for theEducation of the Young (2012) states, “research shows that when early childhoodprofessionals have specialized training and education, children benefit”.
Thesestandards will help and guide me to become an accomplished early childhoodteacher and I become an early childhood administrator. All seven standards arefundamental and it is what shapes the early childhood education field. Standard 1. Promoting Child Development and LearningOne of the key elements in Standard 1, is that professionalsmust know and understand “young children’s characteristics and needs, frombirth through age 8” (NAEYC, 2012, p.
48). Knowing and understanding childdevelopment learning is central in this field. I believe, that it is importantto know and understand how children develop in all four domains, cognitive, socialand emotional, and physical. After gaining knowledge in these four areas, it iseasier to understand children’s characteristics and needs and create environmentsthat are healthy, respectful, supporting, and challenging (NAEYC, 2012). Inaddition, I believe Standard 1 interdepends with Standard 4. Having that said,in order to apply developmentally effective approaches, we must firstunderstand how children develop.
Standard 2. Building Family and Community RelationshipsOne of the key points on Standard 2, is that early childhoodprofessionals should “value the importance and complex characteristics of children’sfamilies and communities” (NAEYC, 2010, p. 50). It is important to collaborate withfamilies and involve them in our classroom to help children’s development andlearning (NAEYC, 2012).
The U.S Department of Education states (1997), “Whenfamilies are involved in their children’s education, children earn highergrades and receive higher scores on tests, attend school more regularly,complete more homework, demonstrate more positive attitudes and behaviors,graduate from high school at higher rates, and are more likely to enroll inhigher education than students with less involved families”. For that reason, Itruly believe that every educator must build positive family relationships. Standard 6. Growing as a professionalThis standard focuses on ethical guidelines and professionalstandards related to the early childhood field (NAEYC, 2012).
This standard isimportant because it describes what an early childhood professional should be.Every educator should think strategically, have leadership skills, collaboratewith others, and stay informed (NAEYC, 2012). It is important to takeself-initiative and create a change for young learner. Also, it is important towork with other professionals to better serve children’s needs. Finally, Ibelieve that every educator should reflect on this standard to impact children’sdevelopment and learning.
In conclusion, without these standards professionals wouldnot have the same objectives and children’s education may suffer. In addition,the advanced standards are essential and are made to help young childrenachieve their highest level of competence. In my opinion, these standards aremade student-centered, focusing on their overall wellbeing. I will commit to allseven advanced standards to ensure quality education for every child I encounter.
ReferencesNational Association for the Education of the Young. (2012, September)2010 NAEYC Standards for Initial &Advanced Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/our-work/higher-ed/NAEYC-Professional-Preparation-Standards.pdf The U.
S Department of Education. (1997, October). Family Involvementin Children’s Education. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/FamInvolve/execsumm.html
