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What Do All Those Letters Mean?

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I’m going to show my age here, but I still have trouble with all the abbreviations used on social media. LOL, BRB, ROFL. While I’ve mastered the most popular ones, I still find myself going to Urban Dictionary to figure out what someone has said.

I’ve felt that way sitting in a conference training session as well. They use an acronym of which I am not familiar. I look around the room to see if others are maybe in the same place as me.

But it appears they all know what is being discussed. Am I the only one who doesn’t know what that stands for?

Probably not. Just as I will pretend to know what they are talking about, so will others in the room with me. I’ll write it down and look it up later or google it right then on my phone (something I couldn’t do years ago at the beginning of my career).

Abbreviations can be helpful when everyone knows what the mean. It can be frustrating if you don’t know the meaning and can make you feel on the outside. (Obviously the rest know what it means, right?)

Here are some abbreviations you may or may not already know.  What’s your favorite abbreviation? Or one that stumped you at the time? Do you have any for me to add to my list?

ACE = Adverse Childhood Experiences

ASQ-3 = Ages & Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition

CDA = Child Development Association’s credential

CLASS = Classroom Assessment Scoring System

CPS = Child Protective Services

DAP = Developmentally Appropriate Practices

DEI – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

DLL = Dual Language Learner

ECE = Early Childhood Education

ECERS = Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale

ESL = English as a Second Language

FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions

IDEA = Individuals with Disabilities Act

IEP = Individual Education Plan/Program

IFSP = Individual Family Service Plan

ITERS = Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale

KWL = Know, Want to Know, Learned

MKO = More Knowledgeable Others

NAEYC = National Association for the Education of Young Children

OT = Occupational Therapy

PD = Professional Development

PLC = Professional Learning Community

RTI = Response to Intervention

STEAM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics

STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

QRIS = Quality Rating and Improvement Systems

T.E.A.C.H. = Teacher Education And Compensation Helps

Children as Capable

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Snowman

If you’re in the Midwest, as I am, winter brings the nightmare of getting dressed for freezing cold weather. There’s not only coats, but boots and snow pants and gloves and scarves and hats. And everything has a specific order of assembly. And you have 15 children to get ready without passing out from overheating.

As we are focusing on our view of children, let’s go through a few questions to help us see how we are viewing the capabilities of the children in our care.

Do you plan extra time for getting dressed and undressed for the weather so you are not taking away valuable outdoor time? Winter outerwear just takes longer. By planning extra time, you avoid the need to rush the children. You can allow them the time they need to learn the new skills of getting ready for a cold outdoors. Rushing is stressful and challenges everyone’s patience.

When a child is struggling with getting dressed, how quickly do you jump in to help? Do you ask first? While we don’t want children to get too frustrated, we do want them to persist and master the skills we are teaching and they are practicing. You show the child respect if, when you see a child struggling, you ask if they need assistance yet. If they say no, then wait and watch. If they are getting more frustrated, ask again. Odds are the child will allow you to help when they reach a level of frustration. Show the child you trust them to let you know when they need help.

Do the children gather their own coats and winter attire? Sometime children can get distracted from the task at hand. When that happens, how do you get them back on track? Do you hand them their coat or point them in the right direction to get it for themselves? Do you believe they can keep track of their belongings?

As you are getting your class ready for the cold of winter, I encourage you to step back and check for the messages you are sending the children. Sure, it’s easier and faster to do it for them, but we are teaching them to be independent children and that takes time and a belief that they are capable.