Careers in early childhood education – teaching, intervention and therapy

What is early childhood education?

Early education, the learning that takes place mostly between the ages of 3 and 5, builds the foundation for what comes later. Children who have a good preschool experience are more likely to enjoy learning and the classroom setting as they get older. They also tend to be better socialized and more prepared for formal learning.

If you’re interested in becoming a preschool educator, it will be your responsibility to encourage learning through play, movement, and interpersonal communication to effectively prepare little learners for the structure of kindergarten.

Children who have a good preschool experience are more likely to enjoy learning and the classroom setting as they get older.

Not every child in America attends preschool because unlike grades 1 through 12, preschool is optional. However, approximately 1.62 million children in the United States are signed up for some form of preschool education, and the benefits to both children and parents are many.

Benefits of early childhood education

Children who attend preschool gain multiple life skills from the formal classroom setting including:

• socialization
• cooperation
• respect for others
• teamwork
• resilience
• concentration
• patience
• confidence
• self-esteem
• appreciation of diversity

Children who participate in some sort of formal education before kindergarten tend to be better prepared and more focused inside the classroom. They typically have a better idea of what to expect and what’s expected from them than students whose first school experience is kindergarten or first grade.

Developmental milestones in early learners

In children up to age 5, every experience they have helps them form opinions and observations about the world. When these experiences are positive, learning becomes fun and exciting. Children become motivated to know more. When these first experiences are negative or limited, children can become shy or withdrawn. They can form unrealistic ideas of what’s expected of them and what they should expect from others.

Children change and develop more in their first 5 years than throughout the rest of their lives, making this an impactful time filled with developmental milestones.

Children change and develop more in their first 5 years than throughout the rest of their lives, making this an impactful time filled with developmental milestones. Not every child hits every milestone within the same timeframe, although common developmental milestones for early learners include:

• ability to play and get along with other children the same age
• ability to sing a song and recall parts of stories
• ability to notice differences between genders
• ability to use safety scissors, ride a tricycle, and help with getting dressed and undressed

Children at this age can typically understand the difference between playtime and learning time. They may grasp the names of colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. They begin to develop a sense of give-and-take, how to wait their turn, and the concept of sharing. They can help with simple chores such as putting toys away or brushing their teeth.

Children attending preschool witness other children progressing through the normal developmental milestones of the early years, and this prompts them to do the same. It’s important for young children to have access to other children their own age, so they can see, experience, and learn from peers. As a preschool educator, you have a front-row seat to these amazing transitions.

» Read: When will the low wages for early childhood educators increase?

Public preschool versus private preschool

Private preschool may be something as informal as having a neighbor who watches multiple children throughout the day while taking them on nature walks, or working with arts and crafts. It may also be a formal classroom in a designated area of a church or community building, run by licensed childcare professionals.

Although there are fewer rules and regulations in place for private preschools than there are for public options, both are capable of offering quality care and instruction.

In most states, to teach in a private preschool you need a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood education.

In most states, to teach in a private preschool you need a minimum of an associate degree in early childhood education. To teach in a public preschool setting, requires a degree in addition to an educator’s license.

Most public preschools accept children ages 3 to 5 years old. However, private preschools may accept children even younger, so keep this in mind when applying for a position as a private preschool educator.

Many states now offer free or reduced-cost preschool for families who can’t afford to pay for traditional services.

Careers in early childhood education

If you want to work with early learners in an educational setting, a variety of career options may be available to you. Each option has its own educational and professional expectations, and each can be highly rewarding due to the potential to positively influence the lives of small children.

Careers outside the classroom

If you enjoy interacting with early learners and their families, there are other career fields that play peripheral roles outside the classroom. These careers are as important and impactful on young lives as is a career in teaching. If teaching or administration doesn’t appeal to you, it’s possible one of these career fields is a better fit.

Ready to launch your career?

Regardless of which role you envision yourself in, either inside or outside the preschool classroom, working with early learners is immensely satisfying. If you enjoy spending time with children, have tons of patience, and want to see young students achieve their fullest potential, consider pursuing a degree in early childhood education or child development.