Following Standards |
Page 17 |
Educators may ask themselves what the guidelines are for their observations, recordkeeping, assessments and future plans. The short answer is: standards. The long answer, however, is that standards are different for different kinds of centers, national standards, state regulations and more. Standards are benchmarks to guide the concepts that children should learn at certain levels. Your specific set of developmental and academic standards to be followed will differ based on the specifics of your center. If you are unsure of your program’s standards you will need to find out. Sometimes programs use a combination of standards but they are typically quite similar.
Most centers will follow either state or national standards but your program may be different. It is important to use the standards to guide your observations and assessments. These standards will give you goals and targets that the children in your charge should be meeting which then allows you to tailor your teaching and guidance accordingly. It is also considered developmentally appropriate practice to be well aware of the standards that your program should be referencing.