Compare the answers given by the professionals with your own goals, values, and expectations.What is their overall attitude about contact between home and school?

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Speaking with parents, guardians or teachers can yield a great deal of insight into the field of early childhood education and the concerns of those involved with young children. You have the option of completing EITHER a teacher interview OR a parent interview. Some students prefer to interview one teacher and one parent/guardian.  This is okay too! Just be sure you are interviewing at least two individuals.  You can interview family members but not your own parents. Good candidates for interviews are friends, neighbors,

Steps for Completing the Parent Interview:

1. Create a list of questions that you will ask the parents you choose to interview. Below are some questions you might include. Be sure to add your own questions.

    • Why are the children in an early childhood program?
    • How was the program selected and what traits were important?
    • What is their overall attitude about contact between home and school?
    • What do they expect from teachers?
  • What do they want teachers to know about their family and their child?
    • What are some of the most helpful ways early childhood professionals can communicate information to you about your childInterview two parents/guardians of young children (infant to age 8) who use an early childhood program. This could include a preschool, day care center, or family child care home provider. This must be two families, not two parents of the same family. One family you select to interview should be from a different cultural group than your own and/or have a child with a disability.

 

  1. Be sure to obtain the name of the person being interviewed and the ages of the children. Obtain contact information for each person you interview including their full name, email and phone number. This is for verification of your interview.  I do random checks to ensure that interviews are conducted.  You can complete the interview in person, over the phone, Skype, Face time, email, etc. In your interview tell me how the interview was conducted. You must include this in your paper or I will not grade the paper.

 

  1. Consult the Grading Rubric for this assignment to ensure you have met the requirements for the Interview Assignment.

 

  1. Write a 4-5 page summary/reflection paper, including a description of the family and the contact information, a summary of the parent/guardian responses to your questions, and insights you have gained while talking with these parents, particularly reflect on:
    1.  How does the information you gained from the parents influence you as an early

childhood professional?

    1.  In what areas did you agree with the parents?
    2.  What additional questions you have and how you can find additional information?
    3. How will this information influence your interactions with families?

Steps for Completing the Teacher Interview:

 

  1. Create a list of questions that you will ask the teachers you choose to interview. Below are some questions you might include. Feel free to add your own questions as well.
    • What is the professional’s philosophy of early childhood education?
    • What are the most rewarding parts of their jobs? What is most frustrating?
    • What do they do to ensure that all children’s learning needs are met?
    • Describe the teacher’s education or raining regarding working with children who are culturally, linguistically, or ability diverse?
    • What additional information, education or supports is necessary for them to meet the needs of all children?
    • How do they build relationships with families?Interview two early childhood teachers (kindergarten or preschool, child care center, or family child care home provider) of young children (infant to age 8). The people you interview must be a teacher of family care provider who works full time with young children.

Be sure to obtain the name of the person being interviewed, along with the name and contact information of the center or program.  This is for verification of your interview.  I do random checks to ensure that interviews are conducted.  You can complete the interview in person, over the phone, Skype, Face time, email, etc.  In your interview tell me how the interview was conducted. You must include all of this information in your paper or I will not grade the paper.

Consult the Grading Rubric for this assignment to determine the requirement details for the Interview Assignment

Write a 4-5 page summary/reflection paper, including a description of the teacher and a summary of the teachers’ responses to your questions and insights you have gained while talking with these teachers, particularly reflect on how the information you gained from the teachers will influence you as an early childhood professional. Your reflection should:

    1. Compare the answers given by the professionals with your own goals, values, and expectations.
    2. How do the teachers’ responses march your own goals or expectations? Differ?
    3. What additional information do you need as you consider a career in early childhood?
    4. Describe themes, commonalities, and differences in expectations between the teachers.