ELTM4 1

Teamwork

Entry Level Training Module IV: Professional Relations

Lesson Three

ELTM4 2

Why work as a Team? Teams help you to:

– Get organized– Communicate better– Achieve common goals– Involve everyone– Enhance performance

ELTM4 3

Why work as a Team? Research shows that collaboration/

teamwork enhances children’s care and education/well-being

Professional standards require it *

ELTM4 4

Early childhood educators must… Understand families as the primary

context for children's learning and development

Respect diversity in family structure and values

ELTM4 5

Early childhood educators must… Develop skills in interacting with parents

in ways that enhance children's educational success

Coordinate their teaching with other adults.

ELTM4 6

Team Members

Co-workers, support staff, supervisors Parents, families * Classroom volunteers Specialists, consultants, outside

professionals

ELTM4 7

Team members need to…

Practice self-control Put work ahead of likes and dislikes Acknowledge mistakes and correct

them Do not assume, jump to conclusions Expect disagreement and don’t take it

personally Show courtesy to fellow team members

ELTM4 8

10 Commandments for Enthusiastic Teams

1. Help each other be right, not wrong.

2. Look for ways to make new ideas work, not for reasons they won’t.

3. If in doubt, check it out! Don’t assume.

4. Help each other win and take pride in each other’s victories (think “we, us, our”, instead of “they, them their”, and “me, mine”)

5. Speak positively about each other (and the program).

ELTM4 9

10 Commandments for Enthusiastic Teams

6. Maintain a positive mental attitude no matter what.

7. Act with initiative and courage as if it all depends on you.

8. Do everything with enthusiasm, it’s contagious.

9. Whatever you want, give it (power, respect, etc.).

10. Don’t lose faith, never give up.

ELTM4 10

Disagreements/Conflicts are… Inevitable from time to time A struggle over values or scarce

resources Opportunities to learn (and model)

problem-solving and negotiation skills Opportunities to get to know yourself

and teammates better, become closer

ELTM4 11

Approachesto Managing Conflict

Competition Collaboration Avoidance Accommodation