CHAPTER EIGHT
HUMAN RELATIONS
KEY CONCEPTS
Human capital consists of attributes such as knowledge, skills, abilities, stamina,
enthusiasm, and love.
Adequate salaries, fair treatment, a supportive environment, respect for diversity,
encouraging and rewarding professional development, and the professional
recognition of NAEYC accreditation are strategies for attracting and retaining
qualified staff.
Conflict mediation involves seven steps: naming the problem and deciding to
address it; listening to both sides; summarizing both points of view; brainstorming
several possible solutions; agreeing to try one; acknowledging the effort; and
following up to see how the solution is working.
Teachers and caregivers typically progress from survival, through consolidation,
renewal and finally maturity, with needs for different types of professional
development opportunities at each stage. (See figure 8.2)
A mentor provides information, guidance and emotional support for a person with
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS
1. Ask students to list examples of professional development opportunities available in your
2. Review the list of suggested professional development activities in Figure 8.3 and discuss the
relative potential of each. Do any of them seem more appealing to students than others?
Have they had experience with any of them in their own professional experience?
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3. Have students access the website for the Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers sponsored by
4. Divide the class into teams of three. Have each team role-play the following situation.
A manager in a child development program has noticed that a teacher who has been with the
program for 5 years has suddenly started showing up late for work. The teacher called in sick
three times during the last 2 weeks and is speaking harshly to children and other staff.