Staff development should be an important component of all child care programs. However, one of the challenges that directors and trainers face is developing training that meets the needs and time constraints of adult learners. When planning a staff development program consider the characteristics of adult learners:

1. Adults have a broad base of experiences and they rely on their prior knowledge and experiences. Adults often prefer to be independent and self-directed.
2. Adults have many other things going on in their lives. They are busy.
3. Adults are sensitive to risking failure. They need to feel comfortable taking risk and experimenting with what they have learned.
4. Adults want information to be relevant to their needs and that is immediately applicable.
5. Adults respond better when material is presented through a variety of teaching methods and utilizing different sensory experiences.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Broad Base of Experience: Allow adults to share what they have learned. When a staff member comes with a problem, ask, "What do you think might work?" Encourage staff to be leaders in planning and implementing their own learning experiences. One center had their staff develop self-study manuals on teaching strategies. Another program gave each staff member opportunities to present short lessons at their staff meetings.

2. Busy: It is impo rtant to value the time that staff give to training and development. It is also important to think of creative ways to incorporate staff development throughout the day. One child care program created a file called "1 minute training" that included one-page information sheets that listed strategies for solving common problems such as "How to deal with hitting." One program implemented "Quiet Time Training" where staff would read certain articles while children read or were resting.

3. Fear of Failure: Adults hate to look foolish. Establish a safe environment and remember that mistakes are opportunities to learn. Directors need to help mentor staff and model actions desired. Then provide staff with opportunities to be successful.

4. Relevant Information: Adults are "now" oriented. They want immediate practical applications to their problems. One program was having a difficult time getting their staff to implement transitions. The director created a ring of laminated 3 x 5 cards that contained a variety of transitions such as songs, games and movement activities. Staff could slip the cards into the pocket of an article of clothing such as an apron and have a quick reference guide. This also helped the staff eliminate the excuse that they couldn't think of anything to do. Staff was encouraged to continue to add cards to the file.

5. Variety of Teaching Methods: Adults respond to active learning that includes a variety of teaching methods. Adults only retain 20% of what they hear, 50% of what they see and hear and 90% of what is repeated and performed.

Visuals can enhance learning and retention. One program always has an inspirational thought in connection with their training. This thought is made into a mini-poster that is displayed in each room. For example, "The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow. But the rainbow won't wait while you get the work done."

Utilize the characteristics of adult learners and the implications for training to strengthen the staff development at your child care center. Remember, "It is not what you do for a person, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human being."

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