differences. We will present some of the literature on working effectively with diverse
populations, and alternative approaches to early childhood teacher training. Our
combined early childhood/special education program and field-based summer practicum,
along with student comments and reflections, will be described. We hope to generate a
discussion among participants as to the optimal balance within early childhood training
on typical development and individual differences.
It is hoped that this presentation will lead to a discussion of the acculturation
process involved in preparing early childhood teachers, with a focus on who we want our
students to become and how we transmit these ideas when new educational traditions are
evolving. In a broad sense, it addresses the potential impact of making learning about
individual differences primary, rather than secondary, in early childhood teacher training,
and the potential implications of this for the children our students will eventually teach.
References:
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) (2004). The early
childhood challenge: Preparing high-quality teachers for a changing society. A
while paper of the AACTE, Focus council on Early Childhood Education.
Delpit, L. (1995). Other people’s children: Cultural conflicts in the classroom. New
York: The New Press.
Edwards, C., Gandini, L., & Forman, G. (Eds.) (1993). The hundred languages of
children: The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Norwood,
NJ. Ablex Publishing Corporation.
Guidelines for the preparation of early childhood professionals (NAEYC, DEC/CEC, &
NBPTS). (1996). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of
Young Children.
Hyson, M. (Ed.) (2003). Preparing early childhood professionals: NAEYC’s standards
for programs. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young
Children.
Mallory, B.L., & New, R.S. (Eds.) (1994). Diversity and developmentally appropriate
practices: Challenges for early childhood education. New York: Teachers
College Press.
Shonkoff, J.P., & Phillips, D.A. (Eds.) (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The
science of early childhood development. Washington, DC: National Academy
Press.
Convention