Working with Young Children

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Working with Young Children
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Early Childhood

• This covers the period from birth to nine years
  of age.
• During this stage, growth is rapid.
• Children develop a sense of self as well as
  language, social, emotional, problem-solving, and
  motor skills.

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Changes in Families

• Women are becoming more educated.
• Married couples are having fewer kids.
• 75 of kids have parents working or attending
  school outside the home.
• Two thirds of women with kids under 6 work
  outside the home.
• Many working women are widowed, single,
  separated, or married to men with low salaries.

4
Changes in Employers Attitudes

• Employer sponsored child care is growing.
• Many offer child care assistance.
• Some offer temporary emergency back up
  arrangements if a child is sick.
• What would be the benefits for employers?

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Benefits for Employers

• Tax benefits
• Ease of scheduling
• Improved employee quality
• Increased morale
• Reduce turnover and absences
• Easier recruitment
• Better public relations

6
Changes in Education Attitudes

• In the 1970s, only 6 of children attended child
  care facilities.
• Today, more than 33 attend the facilities.
• Parents are seeking quality environments that
  promote learning.
• Studies show children who attend all day
  kindergartens do better during their primary
  years.

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What about the Future?

• In the next decade, the under-five population is
  expected to increase.
• There will be a need for early education
  teachers.
• Early childhood advocates are working toward
  greater allocation of state funding for young
  children.
• Recent studies show the demand has never been
  greater.

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Career Opportunities

• Nannies- provide care in a childs home.
• Kindergarten teachers/elementary education
  teachers
• Early Childhood Assistant - these positions
  usually dont require a degree, but special
  coursework may be required.
• Child Care Teachers and Directors

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Career Opportunities (cont.)

• Family Child Care Home- work from home
• Licensing Specialists- employed by the state,
  observes whether or not centers are following
  state guidelines.
• Other Career Opportunities- parent educator,
  community recreation leaders