1. Introduction: An Early Educator for the 21st Century I. Promoting Cornerstone Educator Competencies 2. Using Executive Functions: Planning and Reflection in the Early Education Classroom 3. Effective Emotion Regulation: Managing Emotions for Improved Learning and Teaching 4. Cultivating Strong Relationships: Developing Children's Relational Skills by Starting with Educators 5. Talk for Learning and Classroom Management: Using Language for Learning and Self-Regulation II. Professional Development That Promotes and Supports Educator Competencies 6. Designing Effective Professional Development 7. Effective Learning in Groups: Professional Learning Communities 8. Connected Coaching III. Conclusion 9. Leading a 21st-Century Early Education Setting: Supporting Educators to Support Children References Index
Grounded in current research and theory, this practical book guides program leaders and staff developers to design and implement engaging professional development and coaching approaches. It focuses on early educator competencies essential for high-quality learning and teaching--executive functions, emotion regulation, relationship skills, and talk for learning. Illustrated with an extended vignette of an early learning center, the book highlights how addressing educators' professional needs is a pathway to children's cognitive, social-emotional, and academic growth. User-friendly features include 24 reproducible checklists, handouts, and self-study and planning tools. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.