The purpose of this paper is to outline the NAEYC (2010) Standard 2 and prepare a plan for its exploration to improve my skills.
A Summary of Standard 2
The NAEYC (2010a) Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs include Standard 2 (S2): “building family and community relationships” (p. 1). Its key elements are the knowledge of the diverse characteristics of families and communities that provides the basis for respectful relationships with them, which allow their engagement in childhood education and development.
Rationale
According to Feeney, Galper, and Seefeldt (2009), the professional development of Early Childhood Professionals (ECPs) has an impact on the outcomes of their work, and it is apparent that the standards of practice are the key to measuring this development. As for the S2, according to NAEYC (2010a), “children’s lives are so embedded in their families and communities” that the latter two play a significant part in childhood education (p. 30).
This fact is now being increasingly acknowledged and supported by practical efforts (Douglass & Gittell, 2012). Therefore, the significance of S2 is apparent. I expect that the development of relationship building skills will help me in personal life as well. Also, S2 is correlated with exploring the tools for family and community engagement, which is bound to improve my professional skills. This practical applicability of S2 is especially important since unapplied knowledge is of little use (Colker, 2008). Finally, S2 demands an improved understanding of children’s diversity, and this aspect can improve my flexibility (according to Colker (2008), it is a quality of an effective ECP), which will make me a better advocate.
A List of Questions and Rationales
I intend to interview with an ECP using the following questions.
What tools help a professional develop S2-related skills and what difficulties can be expected?
Practically applicable knowledge gained through a professional’s experience can guide me in the improvement of my skills, which will affect my ability to advocate on behalf of children and their families in a positive way.
How does she interpret the specific requirements of S2?
Personal experience tends to enhance one’s understanding of requirements and the reasons for their introduction.
What importance does S2 have in her opinion?
The personal opinions of professionals are likely to be based on the blend of theoretical knowledge and experience, so they are of interest to a beginner.
What role does S2 play in her practice?
The personal experience helps an ECP define the place of S2 and its concepts in their practice, which may help me set the goals for myself.
Does professional development in this area play a role in her personal life?
This question will link the development of S2 to personal goals.
Assignment Explanation
I am going to contact the ECP with the help of e-mail: [email protected]. The explanation for my request can be formulated as follows.
I am getting acquainted with the 2010 NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation, and I am particularly interested in Standard 2: Building family and community relationships. I used the NAEYC description, my textbook, and a couple of articles to explore the Standard, but this information is theoretical. I would like to get a greater insight into this Standard, and I think that professional advice can help me. I would be very grateful if you found time to help me better understand the concepts and requirements of Standard 2, and I will do my best to use this information for my professional development.
Conclusion
In this paper, an outline for the exploration of S2 was presented together with a rationale for its choice. I plan to receive the answers from the ECP, analyze them, and make conclusions concerning my strategy of development in the area. I hope that the eventual outcome of the interview will consist of an improved understanding of the standard and the concepts related to it. Also, I wish to discover applicable knowledge about the ways of corresponding to it.
References
Colker, L.J. (2008). Twelve characteristics of early childhood teachers. Beyond the Journal: Young Children on the Web. Web.
Douglass, A., & Gittell, J. (2012). Transforming professionalism: Relational bureaucracy and parent-teacher partnerships in child care settings. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 10(3), 267-281. Web.
Feeney, S., Galper, A., & Seefeldt, C. (2009). Continuing issues in early childhood education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Pearson. Web.
NAEYC. (2010). 2010 NAEYC Standards for initial and advanced early childhood professional preparation programs. Web.
NAEYC. (2010a). 2010 Standards for initial early childhood professional preparation. Web.