Instructions

This Competency includes a Short-Answer Assessment. Write your response to each prompt below in the space provided. Beneath the prompts is the Rubric which will be used by the Competency Assessor to evaluate your responses. Carefully review the Rubric rows associated with each prompt to provide a complete response.

Short Answer 1

For each sector within the early childhood field listed below, write a 2- to 3-sentence response that describes the sector and identifies at least two roles within that sector.

Short Answer 2

In 1–2 paragraphs, explain why relationships among various sectors in the early childhood field are critical to the healthy growth and development of each young child.

Short Answer 3

Read the scenario, and then answer the question.

Scenario: Lilly is a 4-year-old in a Head Start program. She lives with her mother, who works two jobs to provide for the family, and Lilly often spends extended hours at her Head Start.

Lilly has a 2-year-old cousin in the program as well and spends some nights with her aunt and uncle when her mother works an overnight shift. Lilly’s Head Start teacher, Marya, is concerned about preparing Lilly to enter kindergarten in a year and encourages her family to spend extra time reading aloud to Lilly to help build family literacy.

Marya is also focusing on preventative health issues like hand washing, tooth brushing, and safety with Lilly’s class. Lilly’s Head Start is partnered with a local medical school to provide health services for children and families. Marya provides all the families in her class with information about how to utilize the medical resources to receive regular pediatric check-ups and screenings for children in the program.

In a 2- to 3-paragraph response, describe at least two important relationships among early childhood professionals in the setting. Explain how positive relationships can promote development and learning for Lilly.

Short Answer 4

For each of the four main sections of the NAEYC’s “Code of Ethical Conduct,” write a 1-paragraph response that defines the purpose and summarizes the principles of that section and explains how it applies to early childhood professional practice.

Ethical Responsibilities to Children

Short Answer 5

In 1–2 paragraphs, explain the early childhood professional’s responsibility regarding mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect. In your response, include at least three signs of abuse that you, as an early childhood professional, would be legally mandated to report.

Short Answer 6

Read the scenario, and then answer the question.

Scenario: James is a child in your kindergarten classroom. You notice that he sometimes appears withdrawn or despondent when interacting with adults and occasionally flinches when an adult approaches him. You have never noticed bruises or injuries, and he has never mentioned any abuse or spoken fearfully about the adults in his life.

In 2–3 paragraphs, explain the most appropriate course of action for this situation. Provide a rationale for your response.

Short Answer 7

In a 3- to 4-paragraph response, explain why it’s important for you, as an early childhood professional, to advocate for children and families.

Briefly describe an issue that impacts children and families and how advocacy has promoted (or could promote) positive outcomes for children and families around this issue. Use appropriate resources, in proper APA format, to support your answer.