Early Childhood Degree Overview

Preschool and kindergarten teachers play a key role in the development of young children.The philosophy of early childhood education is centered around the child, focusing primarily on play, exploration, and interaction with the environment.Preschool teachers help students further their language and vocabulary skills, create opportunities to improve social skills, and introduce young children to basic science and math concepts primarily through group activities.Creative activities such as art, music and dance are taught informally, and hands-on activities encourage students to explore their surroundings.Teachers use games, films, books and computers to enrich the classroom experience.

Preschool and kindergarten teachers work closely with parents to help students shape views of themselves and to develop their unique talents.The preschool experience helps the child to build self-confidence and a sense of security.These experiences help prepare students for elementary school and help to insure future success in the classroom, work, and their personal lives.

Education, Training & Degrees

Because Early Childhood educators work with children during their early, formative years, they require special training and education in the field of child development.Many states require classes in special education, child growth and development, sociology, and educational psychology.Licensing requirements for preschool teachers vary by state.Requirements for public school Early Childhood teachers are more stringent that those for private school teachers.Some states require a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, some require an Associate's degree, and others require certification by a nationally recognized authority.The most common type of certification is the Child Development Associate(CDA) credential.As part of the credentialing process, applicants must have prior experience working with children, have taken classes in child development, and pass a competency test.Don't wait!Get started now!Challenge yourself to learn how to develop the social, physical, emotional, intellectual and creative talents of young children in a dynamic classroom environment.

Career Opportunities

According to the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary teachers over the next ten years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the location, grade level, and subjects taught.Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers expected to retire.Overall student enrollments are expected to rise more slowly than in the past and projected enrollments will vary by region.Fast-growing states in the West will experience the largest enrollment increases.Job prospects for teachers should be better in inner city schools and in rural areas rather than suburban districts.At the federal level, there has been a large increase in funding for education, especially for the hiring of qualified teachers in low-income areas.The supply of teachers in expected to increase as a result of recent pay increases, more teacher involvement in school policy, and greater public interest in education.Typically, public school teachers earn higher salaries than teachers working in private schools.

early childhood education | degree in early childhood education | early childhood degree | early childhood education online | early childhood education programs | early childhood degrees | early childhood education certificate | early childhood education classes | early childhood education courses | early childhood education curriculum | early childhood education degrees | early childhood education program | early childhood education teacher | early childhood education certificates