Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  NAEYC age range

    Posted 05-03-2021 01:56 PM
    Hello,

    I'm relatively new to NAEYC and FLAEYC. I always thought that Early Childhood Education included ages birth to age 8 (2nd grade). But it seems that most of the focus in resources, information, or discussions from NAEYC and its affiliates pertain to Pre-Kindergarten. Is birth to age 4 NAEYC's consideration for ECE? Thanks in advance?

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    Yvette Lovell-Biggs
    Teacher
    St. Anthony Catholic School
    Lakeland FL
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  • 2.  RE: NAEYC age range

    Posted 05-04-2021 03:14 PM
    Hello Yvette--

    I am glad you have become a member of NAEYC-- it has been a great resource for me both in teaching at many age levels and  in mentoring early childhood professionals.

    My response to your question is that early childhood education is absolutely about birth through age 8!  In other words, it is very important that we apply what we know about young children to those in the 5 through 8 age bracket. This has been especially important for us to keep  in mind in recent years, particularly as issues of academic expectations have ramped up in the younger grades.  Children in the primary grades need us to remember that they do their best learning when we recognize the importance of their learning through their senses and through their own first hand concrete experiences.  Additionally, any of the recent publications about cultural responsiveness and social and emotional learning are also very relevant for those who work with the primary grades. 

    A number of NAEYC publications in the last few years have specifically addressed learning in the primary grades-- the one that comes easily to my mind is the Young Children from last September of 2020 on the general topic of "FOSTERING CONTENT KNOWLEDGE: MEANINGFUL INTEGRATION IN THE PRIMARY GRADES."  You might try searching on the NAEYC website for "primary grades" and take a look at some of the publication resources that come up.

    Best wishes for your work with all the early childhood ages!




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    Monica O'Gara
    Woodbine MD
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  • 3.  RE: NAEYC age range

    Posted 05-06-2021 05:46 PM
    Hello Monica,

    Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. I will look through the site using the info you shared. I've been teaching Early Childhood grades for almost 30 yrs and It's so distressing to see the continual pushing down of 1st and even bits of 2nd-grade curriculum to Kindergarten. I supposed I'm looking for what I can do to stand firm in the knowledge of what is right for young children. I also what to be a part of any movement that is trying to turn the tide. Thanks again and be well.

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    Yvette Lovell-Biggs
    Teacher
    St. Anthony Catholic School
    Lakeland FL
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  • 4.  RE: NAEYC age range

    Posted 05-07-2021 10:08 AM
    Hello Yvette--

    Thank for your reply.  I agree that we want to keep giving the message that we support young children's learning, but we want to help them learn in the mode that is best suited to the way that children learn at their developmental level.

    Two other thoughts about possible resources-- certainly suited to kindergarten. One is the Dec. 2020 Young Children issue about Implementing Knowledge Rich Curriculum.  The other is project approach.org-- Sylvia Chard's site about growing skills in an experiential way.  

    Best regards-
    Monica O'Gara

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    Monica O'Gara
    Woodbine MD
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  • 5.  RE: NAEYC age range

    Posted 05-05-2021 01:35 PM
    Hello I'm new as well but childcare can range from ages 6 weeks all the way up to 12 years of age. And yes they are considered NAEYC.

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    Shonda Wilson
    Owner
    Creative Learning Academy LLC
    Quincy FL
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