TECTA TIMES

Back to the Basics

Remember when you decided that you were going into the field of early childhood education? What drove you to choose this profession over the more lucrative or revered careers available? Did you ever expect that your passion for being a part of the process of children learning, exploring, and growing in his/her unique way would be challenged by a show me the results mentality? Our society is obsessed with measuring educational success by using a one size fits all approach. Early Childhood should be different. Lets focus on the importance of the process, not just the product. I am not saying that helping a child become ready for the experience of Kindergarten is not helpful or that assessment is not necessary. I just want to focus on the basics. The foundation of early childhood education is that true development of a child is equally important in all five areas: Cognitive, Language, Social, Emotional and Physical. All of these aspects of development should be encouraged and assessed if a child is going to be successful in Kindergarten.

MTSU
June 2013

TECTA Tidbits:
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~Angie Sexton

dated website: www.mtsu.edu/ tecta.

Be on the lookout

for the newest TECTA Orientation schedule posted on the web.

Become a CDA!
The CDA Child Development Associate credential is a NATIONAL credential administered by the National CDA Council in Washington, DC. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. The Council has several requirements for application for the CDA. One of those requirements is education. TECTA offers financial assistance for the classes that the National Council recognizes as meeting the educational requirement. These are 4 classes related to early childhood education: safe, healthy environments; curriculum for children; working with families and communities; and a practicum. We invite you to join us in pursuit of the CDA. If you have completed the 4 courses, you really should move towards applying for the CDA. Contact the TECTA office and let us assist you in preparing for application to the National Council. When you go through TECTA to work on your CDA, TECTA pays the application fee for the credential. Earning the CDA is a good way to reinforce your commitment to early childhood education. Over 300,000 have earned this prestigious national credential. Come on, become a CDA!!!!!!

Inside this issue:

Back to the Basics Become a CDA Parents She Did It! Book Review Preschool For All Like Us 1

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If Only I Didnt Have To Work With Parents.

How many times have we heard or actually said these words when referring to teaching young children? The fact is that if we didnt have the parents, we wouldnt have jobs in childcare. Communication is the key to building relationships with parents and yet many times we dont even know or remember the names of both parents bringing children to our programs. We now have so many ways to communicate with our families there is really no excuse for us to give up and say things like they are always in a hurry, they dont read my notes, or they dont sign-up for conferences. I challenge each of you to try some of the suggestions below to start building a positive relationship with each of your families and see what happens. The children we teach depend on each of us to work together with families to provide the best learning environment possible. This means we must exchange information with parents and families as frequently as possible. *Learn the full names of parents, siblings, grandparents and those who pick up each child on a regular basis. *Use these names when addressing each person. *Make sure that everyone knows your name. Introduce yourself to new parents. If you cant wear a nametag, post a picture of yourself outside of the classroom. *Write down at least one note about each child daily something they enjoyed, a special playmate or special activity they experienced that day. Most children do not share this information at home and by sharing it we are building bonds with the childs family. *Try alternative forms of communication and find out what works best for each family. (Notes, e-mails, texts, tweets, Face Book, phone calls or leave a message, faxes, pictures, mail, newsletters). *Set up a digital picture frame with pictures of classroom activities as a slideshow each day. *Invite parents to a conference with a special invitation . By establishing positive relationships, the parents are more likely to be responsive if a problem arises. Remember if a problem arises, it is a shared situation between those who care about what is best for the child. The most important thing is to NOT give up! There is no greater investment than that in the life of a child. ~ Lisa Walsh

She Did It...And You Can Too!

Rhonda Miles Motlow State Community College May 2013 Rhonda has been a part of the TECTA family for many years. She just graduated from MSCC with her Associates degree. After attending a 30 hour TECTA Orientation class, she decided that she wanted to continue to pursue her educational goals, so she set her mind to finish well. It took her 7 years to reach
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her goal. She juggled being a wife, mom of two children (one with special needs), teacher and a student. We at TECTA are honored to be a part of Rhondas journey. When asked what TECTA means to her, she said, For me, TECTA was a new beginning to a new chapter in my life. As Rhonda turns yet another page in her story, we at TECTA cannot wait to see what lies ahead for her. Well done, Rhonda!
TECTA TIMES

Book ReviewThe Plays the Thing

Book Review: The Plays the Thing Teachers Roles in Childrens Play by Elizabeth Jones and Gretchen Reynolds. The Plays the Thing is a great book for teachers of young children. It emphasizes the importance of play as the primary way young children learn, stressing that expectations created when early academics are imposed may create too much stress for young children. The authors say that the book is child, such as what is the child learning through this activity. or finds strengths and weaknesses in each child, again setting up op-

Observations lead to further

portunities for new play and continaction on the part of the planner ued growth. The competent teacher and stage manager, as new activ- then communicates information to ities for play are planned. The

planner plans for play- including

dramatic play. The scribe writes down childrens words and displays them around the class-

parents and other involved adults. This book describes the various hats that teachers of young children wear over and over during the course of a day. The Plays the Thing is an excellent resource for veteran and novice teachers interested in teaching young children the way they learn best - through play. ~Debbie Simpson

about paying attention to play ( p. 18). The room. The mediator helps chilauthors discuss various roles that teachers dren find their own solutions to use when facilitating childrens play. These situations that arise in play, roles include: stage manager,observer, plan- without stopping or interrupting

ner, scribe, mediator, player, assessor, and the play. The player interacts communicator. The stage manager sets the with children in their play. The
stage and creates the environment for play, assessor reassures her/him self ensuring the correct spaces, time, and materials for play. The observer asks specific questions related to the progress of the through observations of children at play that children are truly learning through play. The asses-

Preschool For All

own. We know this works. So lets do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind. Hopefully, the dream of expanding highquality preschool to all children in America will come to fruition soon. If you support this idea, please let your legislators know that you agree with quality preschool for all. Let your voices be heard, so that children will have the best possible start in school. ~Angie Sexton

know this works. So lets do what works ~President Obama

We

In February, President Obama addressed the nation and highlighted the need for funding to be focused on early childhood education. In his State of the Union, Obama stated, In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children...studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, and form more stable families of their

June 2013

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TECTA/MTSU
P.O. Box 106 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN 37132 Phone: 615-904-8318 Fax: 615-494-7662 E-mail: tecta@mtsu.edu

The TECTA Consortia TECTA at Middle Tennessee State University works in a consortia with Motlow State and Columbia State to serve providers in Rutherford county and the south central counties of Middle Tennessee including Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Warren and Wayne.

Through TECTA, we are improving the quality of life for people by providing quality care for children and the opportunity for professional growth for child care providers. We are improving care . That's what it's all about!

We Are on Facebook
TECTA at MTSU is now on Facebook! We would love the opportunity to keep in touch with you through Facebook. This will allow us to communicate more effectively and more often than we do right now. Please visit our page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tenn essee-Early-Childhood-TrainingAlliance-atMTSU/222664854540032 and LIKE us. We would love to hear from you! Information for registering for Orientation and College Classes will be posted on our website and on Facebook. Thanks so much for your support!

Check out our newly updated website: www..mtsu.edu/tecta