Staff Development Assessment of Early Care and Education Professionals to Promote Social Emotional Competence in Young Children

Purpose: This survey is designed to learn from early childhood professionals about 1) how early learning professionals rate their knowledge and classroom practices in promoting social-emotional competence* in young children; 2) what skills and/or knowledge may equip early learning professionals to better help children manage their emotions and behaviors; and 3) what resources or sources of additional information may be helpful in developing professional capacity to work with young children with special social-emotional needs.

* Note: The term social emotional competence refers to a child's skills that show his or her developing capacity to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, regulate, and express emotions in socially and culturally appropriate ways; and explore the environment and learn — all in the context of family, community, and culture. (Adapted from the Center on Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning's definition of Social Emotional Development.)

Instructions: To access the on-line survey, please visit http://www.regionakids.org/ and click on the link labeled ‘Staff Development Assessment Survey.’ If you prefer to submit a hard copy, please complete the attached form and mail (in the pre-addressed stamped enveloped) to Bruce Yelton at Praxis Research (5200 Park Rd., Suite 125, Charlotte, NC 28209).

Please answer each question on the survey as openly and honestly as possible – your responses are completely confidential and will not be shared. If you have any questions, especially as they relate to understanding social-emotional development and challenges, please contact Gene Perrotta, consultant to the Region A Partnership, at 828-506-0961.

Survey Respondent Information:

Name: ______Center/Program Name:______Phone: ______Email Address: ______Title: ___ Director ___ Assistant Teacher ___ Other (specify:______) ___ Assistant Director ___ Parent Coordinator ___ Lead Teacher ___ Social Worker Please read each question and, using the 4-point scale provided below, indicate both your ability and effectiveness in each action described to promote social-emotional competence in children. Also indicate if you are interested in receiving more information about a particular action described.

1 2 3 4 Very Knowledgeable/ Knowledgeable/ Would Like MoreWould Like Significantly More Training/ Very Effective Effective Training/ Ineffective Not Very Effective

I would like I rate my To promote social-emotional competence I rate my more classroom in children… knowledge… information practice… about this (Y/N) 1. I prevent circumstances from getting out of □ Yes □ No control by redirecting children to more acceptable activities. 2. I use positive guidance, such as modeling, □ Yes □ No encouraging expected behaviors, and setting clear limits. 3. I give children numerous opportunities to Yes No develop social skills, such as cooperating, □ □ helping, negotiating, and communicating to solve problems. 4. I know what to do when a child has lost his/her □ Yes □ No self control.

5. I work closely with families to ensure that we □ Yes □ No collaborate in promoting social-emotional competence. 6. I regularly and effectively provide families Yes No with information about social-emotional □ □ competence that helps them understand their child’s development. 7. I make changes (as necessary/needed) in the Yes No way my classroom is set up to promote social- □ □ emotional competence (e.g., settings to encourage peer interaction, group problem solving, natural consequences of behavior, etc.). 8. What skills or knowledge do you think are particularly useful to manage the emotions and behaviors of children? (please check all that apply) □ Building relationships with children □ Designing supportive environments □ Using social emotional teaching strategies □ Practicing effective individualized intervention □ Developing a behavior support plan □ Communicating with parents and other team members □ Other (please specify: ______) □ Other (please specify: ______)

9. From your experience interacting with children and their families, are there any ‘lessons learned’ that may be useful to share with other early learning professionals?

______

10. Have you accessed additional resources to learn more about promoting social- emotional competence in children? If so, please list and describe the resources below, including how helpful they were to you.

______