Critical skills for the early childhood educator

Abstract

Brief Description: An inceasing number of students in early childhood education are questioning and reflecting upon their professional training and academic background and the actual reality of their professional role as educators. Early childhood personnel still struggle and search after many deliberate and comprehensive efforts to conceptualize a framework of skills areas that reflect the complexity of their role (Getz, 1980; Caldwell, 1984). What are skill areas that early educators of young children need to begin developing in their field experience? What areas of professional growth are critical in working with young children, parents, auxiliary personnel, speech and physical therapists? Forty early childhood educators in preschool education settings were interviewed and administered a questionnaire on what skills were critical for a pre‐service teacher in early childhood education. A variety of skill areas were identified as extremely important, and the range of skills involved typified the complexity of the role of early educator.

Key Words:

• Early Childhood Educator
• Critical Skills