Early Childhood Education Skills

Sample Skills/Skill Headings

Computer Skills

Sample Skill Statements

• Responsible for classroom schedule, subject matter, selection of materials and media, development of learning activities, and documentation of plans
• Design developmentally appropriate, theme-based learning activities
• Develop lesson plans that take into account children's cultural and developmental characteristics and needs
• Observe curriculum, emphasizing play, active manipulation of concrete objects, child choice and decision-making, exploration of the environment and interaction with others
• Design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning
• Create and implement flexible, comprehensive plans oriented to children, family, and cultural contexts
• Develop developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive materials and activities that families can use at home with their children
• Select and utilize curriculum that is anti-bias and reflective of children's culture, language and community
• Understanding of children's abilities, learning styles, temperaments, and developmental profiles
• Plan, experience, and adapt curriculum based on individual developmental needs of children
• Implement learning environments and projects that support development of different learning styles and multiple modes of intelligence
• Develop and select learning experiences and strategies that affirm and respect family, cultural and societal diversity, including language differences
• Observe and record in anecdotal form children's behavior in exploration and play
• Create a developmental profile for each child using observations, anecdotal notes, and formal and informal assessments
• Identify and use integrated learning experiences that include language and literacy, math, history, social studies, science, safety, nutrition, music, art, drama and movement
• Familiar with appropriate technology, including computer software, available for young children
• Provide daily written descriptions of children's day and weekly parent letters
• Post daily schedule and weekly lesson plans on parent bulletin board
• Keep accurate center records: attendance, parent information, schedules, receipts, fees
• Write and distribute parent newsletters, conduct regularly scheduled parent conferences and home visits
• Plan and implement parent meetings addressing relevant topics and incorporating community resource people
• Screen, assess, and record observations and evaluations of child development, including referrals for cognitive, language, vision, health, and social development
• Write comprehensive bi-annual assessments of children's academic and behavioral progress
• Knowledge of formal and informal assessment tools and strategies, and strengths and weaknesses of various assessment methodologies
• Awareness of learning styles and how they might influence assessment process and results
• Identify specific resources to assist an assessment partnership, such as licensing consultant, health care providers, childcare food program consultants, etc.
• Use assessment results to individualize program planning
• Coordinate the process of assessing children, including initial screenings, ongoing developmental, and specialized assessments, to determine if a disability exists
• Knowledge of standardized assessments used for accountability and identification of special needs
• Understanding of local, state and national standards
• Participate in a multidisciplinary team of staff and parents to develop and implement an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) for each child with disabilities
• Analyze goals from IEP/IFSP and write plans for daily activities that incorporate these goals
• Monitor, interpret, and document behavior in accordance with each child's treatment plan and IEP
• Consult regularly with parents and staff on the progress of disabilities services and of the children with disabilities who are enrolled
• Work with children with special needs, including disabilities, developmental delays, emotional disorders and special abilities
• Note signs of emotional distress and child abuse and neglect and follow program and state guidelines for reporting to protective services
• Knowledge of theories of family systems and their application
• Coordinate social service referrals and follow-up
• Compile resources, written and electronic materials, and lists of community agencies and organizations that families can access
• Confer with parents to explain preschool (or other facility) program and to discuss ways they can develop their child's interest
• Assist parents to strengthen their knowledge of community resources and support parents in problem solving
• Educate families about play-based learning experiences and how to choose materials based on developmental age of child
• Use media and technology to encourage family involvement in the childcare environment, such as video tapes of activities, displays of photographs, e-mail and voicemail communication, Internet, and cameras
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and scheduling of parent volunteers
• Provide toddlers with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging to the group
• Conduct developmental screenings of infants' and toddlers' motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills
• Conduct regular checks of safety and cleanliness of indoor and outdoor play areas, and address identified problems
• Maintain and set up lab and playground equipment; monitor for safe operation and make minor repairs
• Clean up lab and playground after activities
• Organize storage of equipment, materials, food and kitchen supplies
• Prepare and serve snacks/lunches to children, following safety and sanitary regulations; clean up after meals
• Follow (or coordinate) safety and sanitation procedures, first aid, and emergency medical procedures
• Review, evaluate, and interpret health records and recommend referrals as necessary
• Conduct basic medical procedures requested for specific children's needs, such as tube feeding, administering prescribed medications and breathing treatments, applying a brace
• Teach children the components of a nutritionally balanced diet
• Instruct children in practices of personal cleanliness and self care
• Provide books, toys, music, activities, and decorations that reflect the diversity of all children
• Plan arts and crafts projects to complement weekly educational theme
• Lead storytelling sessions, read books to children, and teach them painting, drawing, handwork, songs
• Supervise children on playground and field visits
• Work with children to help them solve problems, instead of imposing solutions
• Skilled in using developmentally appropriate guidance approaches, such as redirection, positive reinforcement, effective praise and encouragement, and problem solving
• Plan routines, transitions, room arrangement and activities to support social/emotional development and diminish challenging behaviors
• Ensure that children are constantly supervised with consistent and positive guidance techniques
• Provide a child-centered environment that will encourage autonomy
• Use reflective communication techniques to identify children's emotions
• Use strategies such as listening, labeling, drawing pictures and role-playing with children for appropriate expression of emotions
• Teach individual children coping skills for dealing with their own emotions and feelings
• Involve children, as appropriate, in decision making about facility/program rules and consequences of behavior
• Knowledge of DAP curriculum, Emergent curriculum, Head Start Outcomes Framework, Reggio-inspired practices, Montessori practices, Hooked on Phonics
• Bilingual skills with fluency in English, Spanish, Russian, ASL, (etc.)
• Adapt (or create) an easily accessed bookkeeping system
• Create an annual budget; reconcile incomes and expenses monthly
• Apply Time-Space formula in a family/group childcare home setting in accordance with IRS standards to calculate accurate expenses
• Process customer invoices and calculate payment schedules
• Analyze and revise organizational structure, job descriptions and personnel policies and procedures
• Supervise and evaluate daily work of classroom assistants, student teachers and volunteers
• Manage eight center employees and evaluate job performance through biannual reviews
• Complete comprehensive monthly report to reflect inventory control, accounts payable/receivable, and adherence to federal health and safety regulations
• Administer fund raising program