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It's Never Too Early to Learn

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 March 2006, 12:01 CST

By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer

Oklahoma taking lead in early childhood education

Andrea Fields used to dismiss science and music as part of her child-care program's daily instruction.

She thought the babies and toddlers would not appreciate or understand the nuances of such subjects. But then she went to college and her outlook changed.

Fields shifted her curriculum to include additional subjects and longer outdoor time for physical activity. She observes children in a different, more academic way.

"I learned how to improve my schedule and routines and get parents involved," Fields said. "Before, when I would do something, I would do it how a mother would and not how a teacher would approach it. Now, I know and understand the educational purpose behind each thing I do."

A movement to require college degrees and training for child- care providers has grown as Oklahoma gains a reputation as a leader in early childhood education.

Traditionally, the industry has been based on teachers learning from on-the-job training. But that started evolving about 10 years ago as institutions started raising requirements.

Tulsa's Head Start program goes above the minimum federal teaching standards to require college degrees. The upcoming Educare center mandates teachers have a degree, and master's level teachers will be supervisors.

Child-care providers seeking higher ratings from the state Department of Human Services must obtain degrees and specialized training. The state's public school program for 4-year-olds also requires a degree with a certificate in early education.

"The public attitude has been that anyone can work with children and you don't need an education," said Carla Goble, the George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Professor of Child Development and coordinator of the child development academic program at Tulsa Community College.

"But we now know that the youngest children are the most in need of a quality education. There is more recognition of child development and early childhood education as an academic, research- based field of study."

'A real science': Fields started in child care in 1999 when she opened her home in the 1600 block of North Greenwood Avenue.

With nearly all of her children qualifying for low-income state subsidies, Fields was prompted to seek higher education.

"I live in north Tulsa, and these children live in north Tulsa," Fields said. "These children deserve the best education, and I wanted to make sure I was providing the best possible for them."

She has earned national accreditation, a Child Development Associate credential and an associate's degree in early childhood education. She plans to graduate next spring with bachelor's degrees in elementary and special education and wants to pursue a master's degree in early childhood education.

"There is really a science to educating young children," Fields said. "I'm surprised that what I'm being taught in school can apply here and it works. Learning occurs in developmental stages. If you can follow certain practices and steps, it will fall into place and all children will learn."

Not everyone understands her job.

She still gets referred to as a "baby sitter" or "nursery."

"I don't feel compelled to discuss my educational background," Fields said. "They don't realize what is taking place here."

Fields schedules the day to be fluid, moving from one activity to another.

"The key is letting them feel they have control of their day," Fields said. "As long as they don't disrupt the group, I'm OK with them exploring."

Fields has taught preparation classes to eager child-care providers seeking national accreditation. She has also heard the grumbling among others about the pressure for higher education and training.

"It'll have an effect on the industry as far as people respecting the profession more and becoming more interested in the interaction between adults and children," Fields said.

"People may feel like they've learned everything they need in experience. But if you can get book knowledge and apply it to the common sense you know, then you will have more benefits."

Positive reinforcements: Early childhood teaching involves understanding how children develop at different stages and times. Teachers learn how to observe play for cues into development and how to structure the day.

Higher education emphasizes positive reinforcements with children, Goble said.

"Some will look at something wrong or misinterpret a child's behavior that is a normal type of development for a child that age," Goble said.

"If you have expectations that are not met in the child's cognitive abilities, it's futile for the teacher and child. You then have a child who feels bad about himself because he cannot do what is being expected. What has been put in motion is the attitude about education that carries through their career."

The National Institute for Early Education Research offered the latest study recommending four-year college degrees for early education teachers.

The report found that teachers with degrees were most effective because they had more responsive interactions with children, provided richer language and cognitive experiences and were less authoritarian.

Nationally, the number of center-based teachers and administrators with a four-year college degree has fallen about 13 percent since 1983, according to a report from the Economic Policy Institute.

Since 2000, about one in nine home-based child-care providers has a college degree. Less than half have any education beyond high school, the report stated.

In Oklahoma, enrollments have been increasing and even soaring at some colleges and universities.

At TCC, enrollment in the child development academic program has grown from 60 students in 1996 to 620 this spring. The program has 453 majors with 341 of those students majoring in one of the transfer programs for a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or development.

About 80 percent of students completing a Child Development Associate credential, which is the basic level of competencies, go on to complete other degrees and certifications.

Oklahoma universities offer bachelor's degrees in early childhood education and development covering instruction from infants to fifth- graders. Each university has a unique structure to the degree program. Institutions with programs include the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, TCC, Northeastern State University and Career Technology Education centers.

Most concentrate on standards set by State Department of Education certification, which is required to teach in public prekindergarten programs.

A grant from Tulsa oilman and banker George Kaiser led to the formation of the Early Childhood Education Institute, which is a collaboration between the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and TCC. The emphasis will be on educating infants to 5-year-olds and providing opportunities for research.

The institute will offer bachelor's and master's degrees and will have internships at agencies such as Early Head Start and the upcoming Educare center.

Ginnie Graham 581-8376

ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com

Average wages

Starting wage for child-care workers:

In Oklahoma: $6.24 an hour, with a 35 percent turnover rate.

In Tulsa County: $7.66 an hour with 29 percent turnover.

Nationally: $10 an hour, compared to $19.23 for a female college graduate in all areas, according to an Economic Policy Institute report.

College-educated early childhood providers' national average: $13.35 an hour.

One-third have health care through their jobs and one-fifth participate in a pension plan.

Prekindergarten teachers at Oklahoma public schools are placed on the same salary scale as elementary teachers.

Source: Tulsa World

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