Foundations Level I: An Introduction to North Carolina’s Early Learning Standards

1. Foundations Level I:An Introduction to North Carolina’sEarly Learning Standards

2. Workshop participants will… • Hear an overview of Foundations • Discover how early learning standards are uncovered in early childhood settings • Explore ways to incorporate Foundations into the planning process • Learn how Foundations supports developmentally appropriate practices

3. Early Learning Standards are… “Statements that describe expectations for the learning and development of young children across the domains….” Council of Chief State School Officers

4. NC Standards Development Process included… • Convening task force • Review of research, literature, position statements, and other state standards • Review of North Carolina documents • Consensus building • Review by practitioners, state & national experts • Wide endorsement

5. NC Standards Align With… • Creative Curriculum • Head Start Child Outcomes Framework • High Scope Key Experiences • Kindergarten Standard Course of Study • NC Infant and Toddler Standards

6. NC Standards were developed to… • Define a common set of expectations • Promote shared responsibility • Facilitate communication with families • Guide instructional planning

7. Foundations = Guide Book

8. Curriculum = Map

9. IEPS, Goals, Objectives, Plans = Street Map & Specific Directions

10. The journey ischildren’s development… • Use Foundations as a travel guide to help you know where you and your children are going, what you might see, and what you might do; • Use your curriculum as the road map to help you know how to get there; • Use your IEP and other goals to ensure that each and every child reaches their destination!

11. NC Early Learning Standards SHOULD be used to… • Promote development of whole child • Provide core set of expectations, while recognizing individual differences • Emphasize importance of play • Support safe, caring learning environments • Encourage and value family involvement • Support appropriate teaching practices • Promote shared responsibility for children’s care and education

12. NC Early Learning Standards SHOULD NOT be used to… • Stand in isolation from what we know about children • Serve as an assessment checklist or evaluation • Limit experiences or exclude children • Set up conflicting expectations & requirements • Single out or blame anyone • Decide any child has “failed” in any way • Emphasize child outcomes above program requirements

13. NC Early Learning Standards were developed primarily for… • Early Childhood Classrooms • Title I • Exceptional Children • Even Start • Head Start • More at Four • Developmental Day • Smart Start • Local Preschool Programs • Private Child Care

14. Early Learning Standards will also be useful to… • Families • Administrators • Child Care Resource & Referral • College, University, and Community College Faculty & Students • Licensing Consultants • Kindergarten Teachers • Local Community Members

15. Guiding Principles • Each child is unique • Development occurs in predictable patterns with variability in “how” and “when” • Many factors influence a child’s development

16. Guiding Principles • Preschool-age children are active learners • Children with disabilities learn best in inclusive settings • Diversity in language and cultures is a valuable asset • It takes everyone working together

17. Foundations is organized by…

18. Each domain includes… • Description & Importance • Vignette • Subdomains • Widely Held Expectations • Strategies • Early Educators & Families

19. Approaches to Learning • Pondering, Processing, and Applying Experiences • Curiosity, Information Seeking, and Eagerness • Risk Taking, Problem Solving, and Flexibility • Persistence, Attentiveness, and Responsibility • Imagination, Creativity, & Invention • Aesthetic Sensibility

20. Emotional andSocial Development • Developing a Sense of Self • Developing a Sense of Self with Others

21. Health andPhysical Development • Self Care • Safety Awareness • Motor Skills • Physical Health and Growth

22. Language Developmentand Communication • Receptive Language • Expressive Language • Foundations for Reading • Foundations for Writing

23. Cognitive Development • Mathematical Thinking & Expression • Scientific Thinking & Invention • Social Connections • Creative Expression

24. Applications in the Real World…

25. Planning For Quality

26. Early Educators might use Foundations to… • Create posters that explain goals being addressed in learning centers through play • Identify strategies for use in meeting IEP goals • Share examples during family visits • Share examples with supervisors and administrators • Highlight work samples in the portfolios of children • Support self-assessment • Identify personal professional development needs

27. Resources to Support Quality • Copies can be purchased at 1-800-663-1250. • PDF available on website • http://www.osr.nc.gov Click on Educator Resources; click on Foundations; click on downloads. • Foundations Toolbox • http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~scpp/pdfs/DPI_toolbox_prototype.pdf • Office of School Readiness website • http://www.osr.nc.gov