When preparing to record podcast episodes recently, my co-host Alison Kentos and I got into a discussion about Respect for our profession. Early Childhood educators often bemoan the lack of respect given to us in our society. We do important work as we interact with young children. The experiences that young children have literally form the architecture of their brains. Doing that work and the sort of work that I do – teaching those who will or do interact with early learners – is not a joke.
The conversation reminds me of a brief exchange that I had when I arrived at a prestigious higher education institute to give a talk. The person who arranged for my time at the setting told me that she was pleased to have someone dressed professionally. She made a comment about disliking when people dress in outrageous outfits just because we will be discussing young children. After all, the attendees at this venue are not children.
I may be entertaining, but I am not an entertainer.
I am not showing up to give a keynote speech in a clown costume. I am not teaching adults while playing dress up. In fact, I often sit, giggle and have fun with young children without big red shoes, a bright red wig and a floppy collar.
I know that everyone is entitled to make their own choices. My choice is this: Early childhood education is deserving of more respect than it receives and I will in no way consciously contribute to people thinking it is a joke.
I speak about this work with humor, but I am not presenting a comedy sketch about this work.
Respect is earned and we teach people how to treat us. We are in a pivotal time in early childhood education. The information we now have about the importance of the early years and its impact on a child’s whole life gives added weight to our work. Our work needs to evolve and change so that we do better for the next generation. National organizations are working to ensure that we are operating as and seen as being professionals. We recognize that early childhood educators need to be compensated fairly for the important work that we do; yet, salaries lag behind. The only way to move forward to that place of respect for our work is to embody professionalism and to send the message that we expect an appropriate level of respect for our intelligence and the seriousness of our work. We need to place high value on the level of and continuing education of people in our field. We need to send a message through our actions that we are no joke.
I laugh with adult students. I laugh with young children. I will not communicate to the world that early childhood professionals should be laughed at.
To learn about how to know if your expert is an expert, read this article (Who is Giving You Advice? You Have a Right to Know) and listen to this episode of the podcast “How Preschool Teachers Do It” (Is Your Expert Really an Expert?)
Go to my full website for information about in-person parenting and professional development session, webinars, podcasts and ongoing consulting for early childhood settings -Helping Kids Achieve.
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This post first appeared on Helping Kids And Families Achieve With Cynthia Ter, please read the originial post: here
