Excellence in early childhood education (ECE) programs is built on a workforce that promotes continuous program improvement. Professional development is a cornerstone of this process. It includes gaining new knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with experience and competencies that relate to one’s profession, job responsibilities, or work environment. ECE programs and staff must address three areas: Professional Development Systems; Foundation for Staff Development; and Individual Career Development. Resources are organized within these areas to promote easy access to the information you need.
Learn teaching practices to encourage language development in English and home languages for children who are learning more than one language. Practices include having responsive conversations, teaching new vocabulary, and building relationships with parents that support language development.
Learn teaching practices to help children develop a varied emotional vocabulary and identify feelings in themselves and others. Practice talking with families about children's emotional literacy.
Learn how self-care and professionalism are important for staff who work with infants, toddlers, and their families.
Review criteria to select and evaluate interactive media for use with young children in early childhood settings. Learn effective teacher-child interactions that expand children's learning when they are using media.
Discover the impact of stress and the way that mindfulness practices can help teachers become more resilient. Try a mindfulness practice with children in your program.