Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/no-learner-left-behind-prioritizing-staffs-professional-development-needs/5019408/
As early childhood educators, we are in the business of teaching and learning:�" We understand and value the earliest of experiences, the relationships between teachers and learners, and the environments in which time is spent.
�" We nurture curiosity, wonder, and engagement.
�" We consider individual needs, ensuring the skills practiced and the development opportunities offered are meaningful and appropriate.
�" We take pride in each step our learners make on their own, supporting their self-reliance and autonomy as they begin to trust their own decisions and make positive choices in the world.
�" We expose learners to a variety of materials and experiences, addressing all learning domains.
�" Additionally, we foster teamwork and compassion in an effort to develop social and emotional abilities that will serve our learners well throughout life.
Adult learners
As you read the preceding list it is likely that visions of infants, toddlers, or preschoolers danced through your mind. And they should, our dedication to their learning should be paramount. But what about the adults in our programs, the teaching staff who foster compassion, nurture curiosity, and provide developmental experiences; aren’t they learners too?
It’s true that adults learn differently than children. They have ...