Professionalism means having and exhibiting the knowledge, skills, and qualities that characterize a specific profession. Early childhood education (ECE) has not always been recognized as a distinct profession but rather was seen as a natural extension of domestic work. As ECE becomes increasingly credentialized and ECE workers diversify, concerns about professionalism continue to grow. This entry examines the concept of professionalism and its specific implications in the ECE field.

Understanding Professionalism: An Overview

There are specific, identifiable characteristics that distinguish professional fields of work. The characteristics that are specific to a profession are used as criteria for determining whether or not individuals who work within that profession exhibit professionalism. To understand the term professionalism requires first a discussion of the qualities that differentiate a profession from ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles