Gordon Biddle, Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional Instructor Resource
Chapter 1: The Early Childhood Teacher
The field of early childhood education encompasses the ages of infancy through age
eight. Due to this wide age range and the vast changes that occur during this time, it is important
for teachers to understand the individual characteristics, rewards, challenges, and requirements of
this field. An early childhood teacher should be patient, kind, encouraging and gain satisfaction
from interacting with the children. They should also be able to identify their teaching philosophy
and modify it as they gain knowledge.
to be aware of what is needed now, as well as what will be needed in the future. Early childhood
teachers are professionals in the field of education and by continuing their education, they will be
able to show others that children are essential to the well-being of society.
I. Who is the Early Childhood Teacher?
A. Why Become an Early Childhood Teacher?
1. Characteristics of good early childhood teachers
a. Personality and Self-Awareness
1) Patient, kind, encouraging
2) Intentional teaching
b. Intrinsic motivation: internal satisfaction
c. Awareness of ethical issues (NAEYC’s core values)
1) Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the
human life cycle
2) Base your work on knowledge of how children develop and
learn
3) Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family
4) Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the
context of family, culture, community, and society
d) Teaching philosophy
1) What you know and believe about yourself, schools, and
children
2) What you have studied and learned
3) What you have experienced in school, on the job, and in your
personal life
2. Rewards of Being an Early Childhood Teacher
Gordon Biddle, Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional Instructor Resource
a. Making a contribution
b. Teaching as a career choice
3. A Challenge Faced by Early Childhood Teachers
B. Developmental Stages of Early Childhood Teachers
1. Survival
2. Consolidation
3. Renewal
4. Maturity
C. What are the Roles of the Early Childhood Teacher?
1. Nurturer
II. What are the Requirements for Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher?
A. Educational Backgrounds of Early Childhood Teachers
III. What Knowledge and Skills Should Early Childhood Teachers Possess?
A. NAEYC Core Competency Standards
1. Promoting child development and learning
2. Building family and community relationships
3. Observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and their
families
B. NBPTS Early Childhood/Generalist Standards
1. Understanding young children
2. Equity, fairness, and diversity
3. Assessment
4. Promoting child development and learning
5. Knowledge of integrated curriculum
Gordon Biddle, Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional Instructor Resource
C. Professionalism and Policy: Early Learning Standards
1. Emphasize significant, developmentally appropriate content and outcomes