I chose to explore the National Association Of Young Chidren (NAEYC). I chose this organization because their focus is on developing appropriate curriculum and guidelines for children from birth to age 8. I have experience with their guidelines for a quality environment . Many daycares attempt to be accredited by the NAEYC because they are viewed as a very exceptional organization.
The NAEYC has two very distinct journals that they publish. They are Young Children which is published 6 times a year and offers research based articles relevant to the Early Childhood field. Teaching Young Children is published 5 times ayear and is directed forwards preschool educators. They also sponsor the journal Early Childhood Research Quarterly which is published 4 times a year and offers research topics in the ECF.
I have been trying to decide which journal I would like to get a personal subscription to, and I think it is Young Children. The assisitant principal I use to have had a subscription and she highly recommended it. The issues I have read, has had many topics that I found beneficial to me and for my classroom.
From the most current issue I found an interesting article on promoting prosocial skills in young children. According to the article, prosocial skills include but is not limited to: empathy, sharing respecting others and cooperating. Why are these skills important? According to the article if yung children develop these skills early, they will continue into the primary grades. So how do we as educators promote these skills? The authors listed five ways:
1. Build secure relationships.
2. Create classroom community.
3. Model prosocial skills.
4. Establish expectations.
5. Support families.
In this same publication, there was an article relating to dual language learners with challenging behaviors. I was not able to access that particular article. Once I get the subscription I will be able to share the information.
References:
Hyson, Marilou & Taylor, Jackie L. (2011). Caring about caring: What adults can do to promote young childrens prosocial skills. Young Children July 2011.
The website for the organization is:
www. naeyc.org
NAEYC is an incredible resource, Alisa. I use it often for reference. Are any of your progams currently NAEYC accredited? We have one center that we are working with that is attempting it, but so far it looks like they have a lot of work to do. I haven't looked in to the process in great detail, but I do know from talking with others that it is not easy and has quite a few indicators of quality. Once achieved, however, it is a great honor.
ReplyDeleteAlisa,
ReplyDeleteNAEYC is a great organization. Thank you for sharing what they include on their site. I will add this to my resources.