Curriculum

The 30 unit NSO curriculum includes:

Fast paced 15-minute video demonstrating best practice.
On-site activities to help staff practice newly learned skills.
Brief written assignments to assess learning.

Unit Topics

Unit	Topic & Objectives	Unit	Topic & Objectives
1	Welcome - Become familiar with the training program. - Discover characteristics of quality child care.	16	Child Development - Learn what influences a child's development. - Learn what "developmentally appropriate" means. - Find out how children develop.
2	Working with Children in a Group Setting - Learn how caring for other people's children is different from caring for your own children. - Discover that toddlers and preschoolers behave differently. - Know how to help children and parents adjust to a new caregiver.	17	Physical Development - Learn the milestones of physical development. - Realize that each child grows and develops at this or her own rate. - Learn what you can do to support and encourage children's small and large muscle development.
3	Adjusting to the New Center - Become aware of the policies and procedures of your new center. - Learn how to find resources in your center that you can use.	18	Language Development - Learn about language development. - Be aware of how language develops from infancy to preschool. - Learn what you can do to support and encourage children's language development.
4	Supervision of Children - Know and count the children. - Know where to stand in the room. - Work as a team with other caregivers.	19	Thinking Skills - Learn about cognitive development. - Be aware of how language develops from infancy to preschool. - Learn how you can support and encourage children's thinking skills.
5	Creating a Safe Space for Children - Become aware of the policies and procedures of your new center. - Learn how to find resources in your center that you can use.	20	Development of Self - Become aware of how children develop a sense of self. - Understand the stages of emotional development. - Learn ways to support the development of self-identity.
6	Regulations - Learn why the Iowa Department of Human Services regulations are important. - Observe examples of regulations in practice. - Understand how regulations affect your center.	21	Social Development - Learn the milestones of social development. - Learn what you can do to support children's social development.
7	Hand Washing and Toileting - Know why and when it is important to wash hands. - Learn diapering/toileting procedures.	22	Job Stress - Identify what causes stress for you. - Recognize your signs of stress. - Become aware of ways to relieve your stress.
8	Healthy Environments - Understand why it is important to prevent the spread of infection through daily and ongoing sanitation. - Learn your center's procedure for an accident involving children.	23	Behavior Management - Learn how to set the stage for acceptable behavior. - Name the "no-bend rule" for adults working with children. - Understand why children might misbehave. - Learn practical ways of dealing with an on-the-spot behavior problem.
9	Emergency Procedures - Know your center's emergency plan and your role in it. - Become aware of your center's procedure for an accident involving children.	24	Transitions - Identify transitions throughout the day. - Become aware of difficult transition times for children. - Learn how to help children through transitions.
10	Communicating with Children - Learn about nonverbal communication (body language, smiling, and listening.) - Learn about effective ways to talk with children. - Realize the importance of encouraging and respecting the children in your care.	25	Nap and Rest Times - Become aware of each child's need for a nap and rest time. - Learn how to keep children healthy and safe during rest time. - Discover ways to make the transition into and out of nap and rest time.
11	Nurturing and Caring Adults - Be aware of the ways you nurture children, emotionally as well as physically. - Recognize that children need nurturing to grow and develop. - Learn ways to help children who need extra support and care.	26	Meaningful Mealtimes - Know your center's routine for mealtimes. - Understand basic health and safety practices. - Learn how to make mealtimes more interesting and enjoyable.
12	Observing and Recording Children's Behavior - Know why it's important to take the time to observe. - Learn to identify what to observe. - See how to observe and record behavior.	27	Parent Partnerships - Know the rights of children and families. - Show respect for all families. - Learn how families' concerns and issues affect your child care center.
13	The Early Childhood Classroom - Identify the areas of classroom management. - Learn the differences between the daily schedule for an infant and for a preschooler. - Become aware of the three sources of ideas for activity planning.	28	Communication with Parents - Know the factors to keep in mind as you communicate with families. - Learn examples of communication strategies.
14	Play and The Young Child - Understand the ways in which play is children's work. - Know the stages of play as children grow older. - Know how to help children learn through play.	29	Team Communication/Working Together - Talk about the importance of good communication. - Know the elements of good team work. - Learn problem-solving skills.
15	Learning Through Play - Know what toys and materials help children learn through play. - Understand what children learn in different play areas of the classroom.	30	Professionalism - Learn about how to apply ethics in your child care center. - Know what it means to be an early education professional. - Identify ways to develop professionally.

Staff workbook assignments - samples

Unit 4 - Supervision of Children
Unit 26 - Meaningful Mealtimes

Share |