Focus on PLACES at the High School Level

I teach Early Childhood Education courses to high school students.  My students have opportunities for internships and work-based learning experiences at a child care center and elementary school. One of the major objectives I have to teach my student interns are the domains, or areas of growth and development of young children.  These domain areas are known as PLACES.

PLACES take in consideration children’s Physical, Language, Approaches to Learning, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social development.  

What I have observed over the years is that ALL teachers should be aware of these areas of development. Even at the high school level teachers should still recognize the PLACES domain areas. I personally implement teaching strategies that are focused on PLACES to meet the learning and developmental needs of my students.  I have noticed that student engagement and academic achievement has increased in my classroom. 

What I have learned is that PLACES is focused on during the early childhood years, but it should continue to be a focus throughout high school. 

Domains adapted from Foundations: Early Learning Standards for North Carolina Preschoolers and Strategies for Guiding Their Success, NC Department of Public Instruction, 2005.

The Joys of Being a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher

I have been an educator for over 13 years now.  I also have had the opportunity to be a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher in Ohio, Virginia, and now North Carolina. I have taught FCS courses at the middle school and high school levels.  What I enjoy the most about FCS is that there are a variety of courses to teach such as Parenting/Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Foods/Nutrition, Consumer Education/Resource Management, Family Relationships, Career Management, Housing Interiors/Design, and Textiles Apparel/Fashion.

The vision for Family and Consumer Sciences is to empower "individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society". It is great to see students applying relevant life skills. Family and Consumer Sciences allows students to have hands-on experiences, enhances communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. FCS courses are significant in helping students to apply these life skills in their family life, work life, and in their communities.  
I think it is also significant that other subjects are integrated into Family and Consumer Sciences courses, which gives students a deeper and richer understanding of class assignments.

If a Family and Consumer Sciences course had a positive impact in your life please share!

Tarlisa Shaw 
@FCScourses