Lesson 9: Intentionality

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able

• Explain the importance of intentionality in early care and education
• Observe and record how teachers are intentional
• Describe how you are intentional when working with children

Teaching

To be an excellent teacher means to be intentional!  Early care and education is not for those who wish to simply “watch kids”.  We are LITERALLY mapping out these children’s futures.  90 PERCENT of the brain is wired by the time these children reach the age of 5.  YOU have a hand in wiring this brain. Intentionality = quality programming.  Quality Programming = better outcomes for children and families.

The results are in and the statistics are shocking.  (Photo credited to the First Five Years Fund)  This lesson will challenge you to think to be INTENTIONAL and a part of the important years of each childs life.

Read Developmentally Appropriate Practice.  To be an excellent teacher means….being intentional. (p. 33-34)

Also used for this lesson you will need to read:

Powerful Interactions Step Three – Extend Learning 66-137

Assessment

These Lesson Plans are "Universal" in that they are used for both our face-to-face and Online course offerings. The instructions for the "Discussions" found in this section are for the Online classes only unless otherwise indicated by your Instructor.

Lesson 9 Assignment

Observe a teacher interacting with a child and note the intentionality the teacher uses.  Watch for the ten strategies for extended learning and provide an anecdotal observation for each. Which strategies were you impressed by the most and how will that impact your early care practice? - 10 points for each strategy can be earned with specific observation AND an detailed explanation about how it will impact your early care and education practice. 

Lesson 9 Discussion 

After reading DAP, explain how this relates to you as a practicum student in your site.