Tonight I came across a comment on an Early Childhood facebook group that certainly challenged my beliefs and values as a professional. I am ever so proud to be an Early Childhood Educator and I would hope that all those who work with children show passion and advocate for all others in our profession to gain the respect and recognition that all Educators deserve.
Rather than slamming the current conditions and workload that we all face in various settings, why not advocate for positive change? Why do we feel the need to be validated without hard proof? 'why can't we just be excellent at looking after the children we care for?'
Guess what? We are! Do you know why? Because we care enough to do all the documentation and spend our weekends thinking about the children and what we can provide to them in the coming week. But no one can see into your minds eye and see how much continuous love and care we have for our children if we don't document it somehow!
It turned out that the particular educator that wrote the initial comment is a family day care educator. I felt with the responses that were left that they didn't value their work with children as educating them but rather them being part of their family. I completely agree. But aren't all Education settings a family to some degree?
It links back to the New Zealand curriculum Te Whariki; which I am in no way an expert on. Their beliefs regarding sense of belonging resonate with creating further smaller families to care and educate the child. The same as our Belonging in the EYLF & VEYLDF.
I am curious as to why these Educators feel they are not classed as such because they teach in a different environment. If a child is home schooled does that mean they are just being looked after and not educated?
I aim to challenge other Educators and their views on ECE Educators as Professionals. If we don't see ourselves as professionals, how does the rest society?
The next time you are doubting your value as an ECE Educator, remember if you don't advocate for your value as a professional no one else will.
Rather than slamming the current conditions and workload that we all face in various settings, why not advocate for positive change? Why do we feel the need to be validated without hard proof? 'why can't we just be excellent at looking after the children we care for?'
Guess what? We are! Do you know why? Because we care enough to do all the documentation and spend our weekends thinking about the children and what we can provide to them in the coming week. But no one can see into your minds eye and see how much continuous love and care we have for our children if we don't document it somehow!
It turned out that the particular educator that wrote the initial comment is a family day care educator. I felt with the responses that were left that they didn't value their work with children as educating them but rather them being part of their family. I completely agree. But aren't all Education settings a family to some degree?
It links back to the New Zealand curriculum Te Whariki; which I am in no way an expert on. Their beliefs regarding sense of belonging resonate with creating further smaller families to care and educate the child. The same as our Belonging in the EYLF & VEYLDF.
I am curious as to why these Educators feel they are not classed as such because they teach in a different environment. If a child is home schooled does that mean they are just being looked after and not educated?
I aim to challenge other Educators and their views on ECE Educators as Professionals. If we don't see ourselves as professionals, how does the rest society?
The next time you are doubting your value as an ECE Educator, remember if you don't advocate for your value as a professional no one else will.