Respond to each item. Each response should be concise and between 2-3 paragraphs in length.

Use MS Word to write your responses, and submit your answers to all three questions in one Word document.

Copy and paste each question within the document, so that your Instructor can see to which question you are responding.

Consider the range of positions included on the Early Childcare and Education Career Guide Web site. Looking only at the position titles and career areas (and not at the information provided on the links), explain two insights or conclusions that you can draw from this site about career possibilities within the early childhood field.

As you have learned, accommodating diverse learners is a characteristic of quality care and education programs. Choose one of the four jobs highlighted on the Personnel Improvement Center: Career Development Web site that is of most interest to you. Describe the role of this job in ensuring that children who may have special needs are supported in an early care and education program. Explain why the job appeals to you and what else you would need to know to consider it as a career direction.

Based on the Employment, Job Outlook, and Projections Data for each of the four positions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Web site, summarize the job prospects for these positions in the early childhood field from now through the year 2016, and include the related figures from theProjections Data charts in your explanation. Then identify one or more positions that are of most interest to you in considering a career direction, and explain your choices.

Web Site: Vocational Information Center: Early Childcare and Education Career Guide

http://www.khake.com/page15.html

Scan the titles listed under Child Care and Education Career Descriptions. Click the links to review at least five positions of interest to you. Note that the Web site below may be accessed from this site by clicking Careers with Children (eighth line in the first column).

Web Site: Personnel Improvement Center: Career Development

http://www.personnelcenter.org/choose.cfm

Review the following professions:

Art Therapist: http://www.personnelcenter.org/art_ther.cfm

Early Childhood Special Educator: http://www.personnelcenter.org/ear_chil.cfm

Educational Audiologist: http://www.personnelcenter.org/audiologist.cfm

Occupational Therapist: http://www.personnelcenter.org/occ_ther.cfm

Web Site: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008 - 09 Edition

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Teachers - Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Education-Training-and-Library/Kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm (Focus on information about preschool and kindergarten teachers.)

Education Administrators: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm (Focus on information on preschool and child care administrators.)

Child Care Workers: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Personal-Care-and-Service/Childcare-workers.htm

Social Workers: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/Social-workers.htm (Focus on information on child, family, and school social workers.)

Note: The following two resources are for this week's Application:

Web Site: NAEYC Early Childhood Career Forum

http://careerforum.naeyc.org/jobs

Web Site: Child Care Exchange: Employment Opportunities

http://www.childcareexchange.com/jobs/

Optional Resources

Web Article: Trends in Education and Care

http://www.childcareexchange.com/resources/view_article.php?article_id=5017112

Web Site: National Training Institute for Child Care Health Consultants

http://nti.unc.edu/about_us.htm

Web Site: McCormick Tribune Center for Early Childhood Leadership

http://cecl.nl.edu/

Web Site: Youth Consultation Service (YCS) Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health

http://www.ycs.org/