"Early Childhood Dispositions for Teachers and Trainees"

                     "Early Childhood Dispositions for Teachers and Trainees"        

        Nationwide, teachers and anyone in the early childhood field are  encouraged to further their education in order to provide a better learning environment for their students.  Professional organizations have set the foundation for which they believe are the most important areas of education that need improvement. Each state has created their own guidelines to follow in order to enhance their children's education and also to strengthen their teacher's teaching skills.  One important emphasis has been made on how a teachers disposition can have a very significant effect on a child's education.  The authors of "Early Childhood Dispositions for Teachers and Trainees",  Susan Harper-Whalen and Sandra L. Morris, really put a lot of emphasis on how important one's disposition is; in early childhood education. Whalen and Morris make many references to other authors, but most of their article is based on two particular authors.  Those authors are, Marge Carter and Deb Curtis, in reference to their 7 core disposition theory. 

            Since I work as a T.A. in the early childhood education field, I can honestly tell you that these two authors Whalen and Morris have done their research.  Anyone who works with children whether its teachers aides, teachers assistants, or teachers themselves; are being required to take college courses and workshops.  I have been able attend CCRI thanks to these organizations that are giving the financial aid that is needed to attend these classes.  These courses are a wonderful way to improve all of our teaching skills and give us a completely different approach on our teaching methods.  We are finding out that children learn more productively through play then the previous methods of sit there, look, listen and do as I tell you to do.

              My Head Start utilizes Carter's and Curtis's 7 core disposition approach in all our schools. They truly believe in their methods and have incorporated it into our curriculum.  When you use their methods everyday it becomes like second nature to you.  The following list is Carter's and Curtis's 7 core disposition theory.

 ~ Delight in and be curious about fostering children's

development, establishing a focus on individual children.

~ Learn to truly value play and its role in the teaching/

learning process.

~ Expect change and challenge as a member of the

early childhood profession.

~ Be willing to take risks and make mistakes; this is

the foundation for learning.

~ Build in frequent and regular time for reflection and

self-examination.

~ Look for opportunities for collaboration and peer

support.

~ Become a confident and active advocate for children

  There are teachers that are extremely book smart but do not have these dispositions that are needed in order to give the children the best education possible. Once you have an understanding of how these methods work and apply it to your teaching skills you will notice a major difference in your students and in yourself.

            It is so important for people who work with young children to get to know each and every one of them on a personal level.  By doing this, you will be able to provide each child with the individual help that they need to reach their personal goals.  The educational needs for each individual may be quite different than those of others but you can incorporate their needs into a classroom curriculum.  

             Through play, each and every one of your students will be able to learn more efficiently.  In fact, the children often teach one another without even knowing they're doing so. Teachers may need to scaffold the children in the right direction but you will be surprised just how fast the children learn and in turn teach others.   

            Working with children has been such a wonderful experience for me.  I have probably learned more from them than any educational course I have ever taken.  Don't get me wrong,  thanks to these classes I am learning important skills that are required for teaching children.  Although, observing the children and getting to know them on a personal level, has taught me that each child  is special and unique in their own way and require individual attention.  A teacher can graduate the top of their class and be very knowledgeable, however if they don't have that special charisma that is required to be an efficient teacher, they will not be as effective as they could be.

             I am so grateful that I have been given an opportunity to further my education through the grants that I have received.  I have been able to view teaching in a whole new light.  I have been trying to apply everything I have learned to become a more productive teacher. There were a few important things that I already knew before coming into this profession which were how important it is to have a loving, caring, and mindful disposition.    Being patient and understanding of parent/child's circumstances are also very important qualities to have.   Having these skills are a huge plus while working with children but you do need to have the educational skills in order to be able to teach them accordingly.  Professionals across the country are improving their knowledge of early childhood development for the education and well-being of their students.