Deeds Early Learning: Shaping the Future of Education and Childcare
The landscape of education is rapidly evolving, demanding a shift in how we prepare young minds for the future. Early learning, in particular, plays a pivotal role in laying the foundation for lifelong success. Deeds early learning encompasses a wide range of skills, knowledge, and competencies crucial for innovation and creation - qualities that are increasingly vital in the workforce. This article explores the significance of early learning, the resources available for early childhood professionals, and the innovative approaches being implemented to ensure children are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Importance of Early Learning Certificates
An Early Learning Certificate is a valuable asset for individuals seeking to work in licensed childcare centers or before and after school programs. These certificates signify that the holder has met specific qualifications and training requirements to provide quality care and education to young children, typically those aged birth to five.
Delaware's Commitment to Early Childhood Education
The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) plays a crucial role in ensuring high standards for early childhood professionals. The DDOE is responsible for credentialing early childhood and PK-12 professionals to work in Delaware early childcare centers, public districts and charter schools, adult education programs, and prison education facilities. To become a Delaware educator, candidates must log into EdAccess and submit a certification application in the Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS). The DEEDS system also allows the public to view educator credentials. The DDOE provides public access to educator credentials.
Navigating the DEEDS System
The process of obtaining an Early Learning Certificate in Delaware involves several steps within the DEEDS system:
- Log into EdAccess.
- Click DEEDS 3.0, then select Educator Dashboard.
- Once you are on your Educator Dashboard, choose Apply for Early Learning Centers.
- Choose Early Learning Certificate to apply for a DEEDS qualifications certificate.
- Work Experience - Upload (in PDF format) a signed/dated Verification of Child Care Experience form.
- For positions requiring college or university credits- Request for your college or university to send us your official transcript showing credits earned.
- In the Deficiency area at the bottom of the screen check the box next to Resolved, enter any notes if needed, then click Save Changes - click Save & Next - click ReSubmit.
- In the bottom left-hand corner, you will see a link to your PDF.
The DEEDS system streamlines the certification process, making it easier for educators to apply and for the public to verify credentials.
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Training Programs for Early Childhood Professionals
A variety of training programs are available to equip early childhood professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to excel. These programs cover a wide range of topics, from understanding autism to fostering language development and supporting sensory needs.
Supporting Autistic Children Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens
This training delves into understanding and supporting autistic children through a neurodiversity-affirming lens while learning directly from a Pediatric Speech Therapist.
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Identify the 3 main characteristics of Autism.
- Identify 5 different ways to support the sensory environment to meet an autistic child’s needs.
The course includes four digital guides totaling more than 90 pages of handouts packed full of information for professionals and families.
Fostering Math Skills Through Everyday Conversations
Research indicates that math language predicts later math and reading skills. This training focuses on fostering a strong math foundation by using math vocabulary in everyday conversations. The training includes 6 digital guides, one for each math concept, packed with activities, videos, suggested books and toys, and parent handouts.
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Addressing Mealtime Struggles
This training provides resources to support children facing mealtime struggles. It includes 5 digital downloads organized by baby, toddler, and preschool age content with more than 60 pages total of information, parent checklists, video examples, quick tips, and suggested feeding tools.
Incorporating Sign Language
This training explores the benefits of using sign language with infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, including those with special needs. Participants will learn signs for everyday routines and how to create a supportive environment for sign language. The training includes 3 digital guides packed with research, ideas for when and where to use signs, video tutorials, and handouts for parents.
Understanding Language Development
This training provides information on language developmental milestones during the first year. The course includes three digital resources, with the "First Babbles to First Words Handbook" featuring more than 65 pages of handouts, how-to's, video examples, and checklists.
Enhancing Fine Motor Development for Handwriting
This training equips childcare providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to support and enhance fine motor development for handwriting.
At the end of this training, participants will be able to:
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- Identify fine motor milestones for the birth to 5 year old.
- Identify fine motor activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
The training includes a comprehensive handbook with milestone checklists, toy and activity suggestions for fine motor development, and printable activities.
Supporting Autistic Children's Communication
This training provides practical tools to support autistic children in their unique communication journeys. Participants will gain a clear understanding of autism and how autistic children develop language, and learn 10 tips to understand and respond to a child’s communication in ways that support language development. The training includes a digital handbook with almost 50 pages of resources and supports.
Preparing for Difficult Conversations
This training equips participants with the skills to navigate difficult conversations with families.
At the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Name 3 ways to prepare for difficult conversations.
- Name the 3 elements of an effective solutions plan.
The training includes a digital handbook with resources to support communication with families.
Integrating Science into Early Learning
This training provides ideas for integrating science into early learning activities. The training includes a digital handbook packed with book, toy, and play ideas, as well as “lessons plans” for each of the 5 Science domains.
Fostering Positive Behaviors
This training is designed to equip childcare providers with effective strategies for fostering positive behaviors in their childcare setting. The course includes one digital handbook that is packed full of information, sample activities you can use with your children, and printables.
Supporting Speech and Language Development
These trainings offer valuable resources for supporting speech and language development in young children. One training includes a digital handbook with milestone checklists, printable parent handouts with video examples, and strategies to help toddlers talk or talk more with routine examples. Another training includes a digital handbook packed with easy-to-read speech sound development charts by age, typical and atypical sound errors with examples, and more.
Understanding Sensory Needs
This training is designed to equip childcare providers with effective strategies to support young children's sensory needs in the childcare setting. Participants will explore how children process sensory information, understand sensory processing differences and disorders and how that impacts behavior, and learn easy-to-apply tools and techniques to promote regulation, improve focus, and enhance play and learning experiences. The training includes a digital handbook with almost 50 pages of resources and supports.
Encouraging Early Literacy Development
This training enhances the understanding of early literacy development in infants and toddlers and provides strategies to foster a child’s love of reading. Participants will learn literacy milestones from birth-3 years, understand why reading matters, what to look for in books for this age, how to create a literacy-rich environment, and establish reading routines.
At the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify strategies to read to infants and toddlers that supports language and literacy development.
- Identify different way(s) to rotate books that supports literacy and language.
The training includes a digital handbook with milestone checklists, parent-friendly handouts with tips, video examples, and book suggestions.
Common Training Components
Many of these training programs share common components:
- Resources: Digital handbooks, guides, and downloads packed with information, activities, videos, and parent handouts.
- Assessment: A 10-question multiple-choice quiz with a required passing score of 80%, with multiple opportunities to pass.
- Course Evaluation: A course evaluation is required to receive a certificate.
- Completion Deadline: The training typically expires 6 months from the date of purchase and must be successfully completed by the expiration date to receive a certificate.
Preparing for the Future Workforce
The modern economy demands a workforce equipped with critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. High schools are increasingly focused on preparing students for the realities of life and learning after graduation, not just traditional college.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
The entrepreneurial mindset is not reserved only for future business leaders or for the privileged few, and while all students need postsecondary education, traditional college is not the sole track to success. Ewing Marion Kauffman understood that entrepreneurship and education could have the most significant impact on solving societal problems.
Integrating Real-World Learning
High schools are linking students to businesses and problem-solving opportunities in their communities, providing real-world learning that results in industry-recognized credentials and/or dual college credit. Some programs ensure that 100 percent of students leave high school with a robust internship experience, sponsored by local industry partners, in a high-demand career. These programs are built on the premise that learning needs to be purposeful and relevant, allowing students to explore real problems and gain the skills necessary to solve those problems.
