Child Care Basics
  • Child Care Training
  • Log In
  • Washington Child Care Courses
  • HIV Bloodborne Log-In
  • Need Help
    • About Us
    • Agenda
    • Child Care Licensing Guidebook
    • Certificate Info
    • Exiting the Training
    • Glossary
    • Grading System
    • Lesson Plans for Young Learners
    • Passwords
    • Terms of Use
    • Testimonials
    • The Trainers
  • Child Care Training Online
Sentry Page Protection
Please Wait...
Student Login Student Login Hi, (First Name) Member Area | Log Out
Student Login
Welcome, (First Name)!

Forgot? Show
Log In
Enter Member Area
(Message automatically replaces this text)
OK
My Profile Not a member? Sign up. Log Out

Module 3: Celebrating Child Growth

Early Childhood Curriculum, Assessment, and Program Evaluation

Module  3 Menu

Page 7


Picture
You May Print or Save Handouts for Reference
* Handout 3

Picture
One of the most exciting parts of working with young children is witnessing their growth and development.  As we watch them develop and learn it is important to acknowledge, support and celebrate their growth.  We do this by carefully observing and recognizing how children in our care/classroom are developing at their own rate.  

Once we identify where children are in their development, it is our job to reflect on what we know, and then plan the environment and curriculum for further development and growth (see Handout 1).  Observation and reflection on individual growth and development allows us to celebrate each child.  

It is important to use the information gathered during observations on individual development to prepare appropriate curriculum, NOT to compare or label children.   As we learned in the last module, each typically developing child will eventually master developmental tasks on his/her own time schedule and we want to encourage and support them where they are.  For example, one child may be walking at nine months and another at 15 months, but both children are considered to be typically developing.  Or one five year-old may be reading text and another still reading pictures to tell a story from a book. 

Consider the following highlights of understanding and observing development:
  • Children have individual temperaments, development, learning styles, experiences and family backgrounds.
  • Understanding development helps us to scaffold our interactions and curriculum for young children.  Scaffolding is a teaching concept introduced by researcher Lev Vygotsky.  It means that teachers are providing children with sufficient support when they are learning a new skill.  Through observation you can determine what a child can do independently, what they can do with help and what additional support they need to take them to the next developmental level.
  • In order to fully understand where children are in their development you must observe over time, and observe them in a variety of settings. 
  • Teachers benefit from observation by getting to know each child well, building respect and appreciation for each child and their unique developmental timetables.
  • DEL’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines book can help you determine typical development and needs of each child in your care/classroom.  Use the Guidelines to help you create meaningful curriculum, share development with children’s parents, and inform your own understanding of individual developmental expectations. All of this helps your classroom or care setting to run smoothly.
  • Because children each develop at a different rate, we as providers must have realistic expectations for learning, behavior and interactions.  Realistic expectations allow us to challenge and scaffold children who are ready in one area of development, and ease up on challenges in areas where they are not ready.  For example, a child who does not have the fine motor skills necessary to button their own coat may need extra time to get outside while the teacher scaffolds this learning opportunity (taking the time to help start the button and let the child finish).  A child who is proficient at this skill may be given the challenge of helping another child or working towards tying shoes.
  • We use the observation information we gather about children in order to assess their needs, assess our program effectiveness, and build an effective program.
  • According to the NAEYC Position Statement on Early Childhood Curriculum, Assessment and Program Evaluation’s indicators of effectiveness, the information gathered through observation and assessment is used to understand and improve learning.  (see Handout 3, “NAEYC & NAECS/SDE Position Statement...”).
  • Using observation to understand development is essential to effective teaching.





Back
Next Page

Coursework is submitted to us live, as you complete each page. An optional checklist is available to keep track of your progress. Use the menus to return to where you left off in the training. If you need help, click on the Student Support Chat on the bottom right corner of the page.

Alternate links for pop-ups:
* Handout 3



Enroll in New Course
Register
Terms of Use
State Approved Training Reimbursement
Contact Us
Online STARS Courses
Apply for STARS ID
HIV AIDS Bloodborne Log-In

New Enrollments Set-Up​
Monday - Friday        7  am – 8  pm 
Saturday & Sunday   9  am – 8  pm

Holidays                      9  am – 8  pm
Live Chat and Email Support
support@cdastars.com

Monday - Friday              7:00 am – 8:00 pm 
Saturday and Sunday    9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Holidays                          10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone Support
(360) 602-0960

Monday - Friday         7 am – 6 pm 
Saturday & Sunday    Email and Chat Only

Holidays                       Email Support Only  
Registrations that are submitted after enrollment hours will be processed the next morning.  You will receive an email with your log-in information to access the course within an hour after we open the next business day.

Successful Solutions Training in Child Development
Address: PO Box 727, Burley, WA 98322-0727  * www.cdastars.com
Copyright 2017.  Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC.  All Rights Reserved. Updated April 2, 2017
30 Hours Basic STARS Training
Student support 7 days a week, including most holidays! 


STARS Training Requirements * DEL MERIT * STARS ID Numbers * Certificates * STARS Scholarship 
* STARS Credits Washington State  *  CDA CEU Course Accreditation * Sample CEU Course * DEL MERIT Approval * DEL Safe Sleep
Enrollment Center * Contact Us * Child Care Cours​es * CDA Training* CDA Renewal Training * What Browser am I Using?

 #inservice hours for #childcare #childcaretraining #certificate #cdacertificate #childdevelopment #trainingonline Child #carecourses from home #onlinechildcarecertificate child #carecourses #basicstars #starscertificate #30hoursSTARS  #WashSTARS #WashingtonInservice #MERITtrainer #ECEcoursesonline  ‪#childcarecourses #inserviceforchildcare #preschoolteacher #starstraining #infantteacher #Childcareresources #preschoolcurriculum #ECEcoursesonline   
  • Child Care Training
  • Log In
  • Washington Child Care Courses
  • HIV Bloodborne Log-In
  • Need Help
    • About Us
    • Agenda
    • Child Care Licensing Guidebook
    • Certificate Info
    • Exiting the Training
    • Glossary
    • Grading System
    • Lesson Plans for Young Learners
    • Passwords
    • Terms of Use
    • Testimonials
    • The Trainers
  • Child Care Training Online