Dr. Jessica Alvarado, academic programme director for the BA in Early Childhood Development at National University, emphasises that “early childhood education” is from birth to kindergarten.
Alvarado believes it’s an important time in a child’s life since it’s when they learn to connect with friends, instructors, and parents and develop lifelong interests.
However, what exactly is early childhood education? It’s a frequent misconception, according to Alvarado, that basic skills are the only things cover in early childhood education. She responds, “It’s so much more than that. Children throughout this period develop vital social and emotional abilities, and a partnership between the kid, their parents, and the teacher is establishing. If done well, the foundation is laid for it to continue throughout the child’s schooling.
Countries all across the world are starting to realize how important early childhood education is. A global governing organization with the stated purpose of “contributing to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural communication via education” is known as UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). The following is what the group has to say about how critical early childhood education is:
“ECCE (early childhood care and education) is more than just kindergarten readiness. It seeks to fulfil a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical requirements in a holistic way in order to lay a strong and comprehensive foundation for lifetime learning and wellbeing. Future citizens that are capable, caring, and responsible can be raised through ECCE.
What Particular Effects Does Early Childhood Education Have on the Future of a Child?
Alvarado explains that while the results have varied, they have all been favorable. According to the author, studies have examined everything from the social benefits of early childhood education to the STEM learning outcomes of exposing kids to these subjects at a young age.
Additionally, she emphasises the value of motivating early childhood educators to take the time to get to know their kids and each of their unique interests. Studies have shown that when kids feel safe and trust the people around them, they learn more quickly and effectively, she adds. “When [teachers] do that, that relationship can actually influence the students day to day and establish trust,” she says.
Parental involvement plays a significant role in this process of developing relationships, and Alvarado emphasises the significance of teachers at this level collaborating closely with the families.
She says that good partnerships between teachers and families “resonate favourably throughout the child’s life.”
How is a Day in the Life of an Early Childhood Educator?
Alvarado said a profession in early childhood education will make someone happy if they appreciate dealing with children and want to change their lives. Helping kids learn and develop is a huge part of what we do, but this sector also offers opportunities for personal growth, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. It can aid in your professional growth as a leader and reflective practitioner.
A bachelor’s degree is the initial requirement if you want to work in the field of early childhood education. In addition to degree-related curriculum, there may be state- or country-specific requirements. Contact the state education department or the country’s education ministry to learn about location-specific course or licensure requirements, whether in the U.S. or abroad.
What Are Some of the Biggest Obstacles Early Childhood Education Professionals Face?
Alvarado believes balancing one-on-one and group education is difficult. If you work at a school, you may be focused on one child’s needs, but others do too.
For new teachers, applying and implementing classroom standards can be a challenge. The more time she spent in the field, she adds, “the more I was able to take a big breath and recognise that I didn’t need to be so hard on myself. I went a bit crazy with generating charts in my first year.”
She advises educators to be kind to themselves if they make a mistake. Don’t try to be flawless, she advises. “Just keeping moving is more essential than stopping,”
How Can Teachers Improve Learning Results for Kids This Age?
Alvarado strongly advises using students’ natural curiosities into lesson ideas in order to achieve the best results in early childhood education. Yes, she says, “we want to look at standards. Yes, there are boxes to be check, but a significant portion of what we do with young children is to look at their interests and use those interests to further engage them in learning.
Alvarado says teachers may employ in-class or at-home activities to explore students’ favourite topics.
Students can develop critical thinking skills by focusing on these areas. Alvarado demonstrates with an insect-obsessed student. She was surprised and confused what to do, but she realised she could use the child’s interest in bugs to teach other things besides science. It was basically about exploiting the child’s particular interest to open new opportunities for them. Math and language arts might be included.
What Justifies a Career in Early Childhood Education for Students?
The field of early childhood education is broad and diverse. Alvarado thinks it will be gratifying if you like working with kids and are preparing to put in the effort required to get your degree.
The field is also expanding.The BLS predicts a 10% rise in preschool teachers over the next eight years.
Preschool teachers made a median pay of $28,990 per year in 2017, with the top 10 percent of earners taking home more than $54,000. California’s median income is $36,760. (The “median” pay, according to BLS figures, is the point when half of the workforce earns more than that amount and half earns less.)
But you may use your degree in places other than preschool classrooms. In a children’s shelter close to San Diego, Alvarado began her professional life. She remembers that “it was a 24-hour facility.” “The kids resided there and attended school there. The location occasionally used as a bridge between foster care and families.
Some of my former students have joined education-related non-profits and fallen in love with their profession, says Alvarado.
The top preschool instructors’ employers, per the BLS, are:
- public, private, and municipal schools.
- Services for individuals and families.
- groups that offer grants, are religious, professional, and similar.
- daycare services for kids.
With more training in early childhood education Malaysia, several job choices are open to you.
If you decide to pursue a master’s degree, Alvarado advises, “you can work as an assistant director of an early education programme or teach at a community college.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education, graduates of early childhood education programmes are qualified for positions such as:
- Family service personnel.
- programmes for early learning and development.
- experts in infants and young children.
- experts in early intervention.
- specialists in early childhood education.
- Visitors to homes and associated service providers.
- Administrators.
- Teachers for Early Head Start and Head Start.
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