With the New Year comes a new beginning-and it’s a great time to regroup and refocus on your professional goals. Being a child care provider isn’t easy, and sometimes autopilot can set in, which can affect your practice, enthusiasm and willingness to try new things. Early education providers can become comfortable with the usual daily routines that lead to an almost predictable, yet automated approach to work.
Below are a few tasks to get you motivated and drive your professional career in the direction you want it to go for 2018.
1. Expand your education. Early child care teachers should stay up-to-date with new and innovative teaching methods and materials in the field. Enhancing your instructional skills through continuing education classes, attending conferences, participating in professional seminars or trainings, or joining professional organizations can help you provide the best care and education possible to your students. It also makes you more marketable in the field.
2. Network with other professionals in your field. Sharing different ideas and teaching methods will help to refresh and inspire your activities and lesson plans. Plus, it will be fun to see your students’ reactions to new things as well as see what works in supporting their development.
3. Build relationships with parents and families. Ask families for their feedback on your program once a year, as their input will provide you with valuable insight. Be sure you’re on the same page, show them their involvement is valued and maintain an open line of communication.
4. Set goals to earn a promotion. Some early child care teachers are happy remaining instructors for the duration of their careers, while others strive for positions with more responsibility and authority. For early child care teachers, earning a promotion could mean becoming a lead teacher or obtaining a position as a director, supervisor, trainer or consultant.
Regardless of your career ambitions or goals, creating a plan that keeps you moving forward will help to keep you inspired and doing your best as you support your students in preparing for kindergarten.