A Brief History of the Early Childhood Education Major
Childhood development is crucial to the foundation of life. The Association for the Education of Young Children defines the early childhood phase as the period from birth to age eight. Early childhood education professionals play a critical role during these formative years, because this is the stage when the philosophical foundation of a child’s life is established. It’s a period of great growth and fast development.
Early childhood education degree holders are well prepared to nurture children in this age group. Through games and guided play, preschool and kindergarten teachers help children develop math and reading skills. They also facilitate social interaction through age-appropriate learning materials. Some teachers use phonics, art, film, and various hands-on activities to teach children a wide array of social and academic skills. Children at this stage are walking, talking, and asking questions about themselves and their environment. How they see themselves, how they interact with other children and their expectations of others are all vital to their development in this stage.
While parents remain an integral part of a child’s first few years, early childhood educators also play a crucial role in this period of a child’s development. Given the significance of early childhood development and the demand for competent instructors and administrators, it’s no surprise that the job outlook in this field remains generally positive.
Delving Into the Early Childhood Education Major
The primary goal of childhood education is to foster social and academic skills in children. Thus, the coursework in this field will always seek to reflect this goal. Students who decide to delve into early childhood education will learn to build social interaction, reading, and math capabilities through games, social tools and various academic devices. The early childhood education program is available at various levels of education, from simple certifications and associate degrees to master’s and doctorate degrees.
While academic curriculum will vary from program to program and from specialty to specialty, the traditional coursework is largely designed for those planning to work with young children at some level. You will learn how to provide for infants, develop a curriculum suitable to their learning, as well as how to manage groups of children in a developmental stage. Some of these courses will include art, math, composition, sciences, social sciences, music, physical education, and psychology of learning. Text and reading materials will cover such topics as infant nutrition, curriculum planning and development, creative activities, children’s health, and special needs care, among other relevant subjects.
Some programs will require teaching education or some type of student-teacher internship. The training will enable degree holders to gain employment at daycare centers, schools, and other childcare facilities. With further training, you may seek employment as an administrator or curriculum instructor.
Degree Levels:
Associate
At the associate degree level, students learn the basics of early childhood education and development. The purpose of this curriculum is to teach skills future childcare professionals about the daily challenges of being an educator at this level. Coursework may include: introduction to childhood education, composition, world civilizations, and the philosophy of human conduct.
Students will learn to organize educational materials, create instruction for activities, convert information into instructional program, and demonstrate the ability to resolve behavioral and academic issues. Associate degree holders with proper teaching licensure may secure teaching employment in everything from preschool to third grade.
Bachelor’s
Students who decide to obtain a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education will gain the knowledge and insight necessary to succeed as professionals in this field. In addition to an overview of the program found in the associate’s curriculum, they also cover the prerequisites needed to work towards teaching licensure.
At this level, you will work closely with experts in the field to understand the many facets of early childhood education. This degree level is a good for those planning to dive into teaching or management. The bachelor’s curriculum covers topics such as the social and emotional growth of young children, quality care environments for children, and children’s literature.
Master’s
Students with professional administrative aspirations should consider advancing to the master’s degree program. Many of these programs are now being offered online and allow students to advance their careers.
Learners at this level will graduate with a thorough understanding of the theoretical processes that drive early childhood education. While coursework will vary from program to program, the traditional coursework will prepare students for roles as senior teachers with additional responsibilities.
Doctorate
A doctorate degree in early childhood education will set you apart from the crowd if you can afford the cost and time. The doctorate curriculum is ideal for those seeking employment in administration, management, or research. It offers a broad spectrum of coursework to prepare students for jobs in childhood administration, children’s literature, and curriculum assessment. Those specializing in research will learn to apply their findings in an informed manner.
Supplementing Your Early Childhood Education Major
The versatility of an early childhood education degree gives educators a variety of ways to build a lasting legacy. Concentrations range from Child Development to Special Needs and Child and Family Studies. Skilled teachers who specialize in child and family studies help foster parent education and provide support for children with challenging behavior. The special needs concentration is an attractive choice for those planning to care for children with disabilities and special needs.
Young children enjoy more success rates in the academic environment when supported by informed early childhood education instructors. Area of concentration notwithstanding, when you graduate with an online early childhood education degree or certification, you will acquire teaching, management and supervisory skills in the childhood education field. This is a desirable trait that could spell success in a variety of fields. Upon graduation, you will understand proper practices and guidance techniques for classroom management.
Students who graduate with a degree in early childhood education will learn to create, plan and implement curriculum. They learn to establish and maintain a safe learning environment for young children. The emphasis on psychological well-being and identity formation makes this major a suitable accompaniment to topics such as development psychology, cognitive psychology, and education psychology.
Learn More About the Early Childhood Education Major
- The CollegeBoard: Early Childhood Education
- Infant and Early Childhood Cognition
- Early Childhood Research & Practice Journal
The Early Childhood Education Major in the Job Market
With the growing change in family composition and demographics, there is a growing demand for early childhood education professionals. As more and more families now need two incomes to stay afloat, more daycare facilities are needed and more qualified professionals are needed to staff them. While employment rates vary from region to region, there is generally a consistent wave of employment for teachers at all levels across the United States.
Teaching positions in schools should be equally as plentiful but there may be more variation by location and many positions will be in low-income, high-need schools. While these positions may be more challenging they can offer early childhood educators the opportunity to make a difference where it matters most. Those with advanced training in the field will also have a wealth of opportunities to explore, as the job market for these kinds of positions looks to hold steady in the coming years.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for kindergarten teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 in 2008. Actual salaries may vary based on region, specialty, and experience. The lowest 10 percent earned $30,970 to $34,280; the top 10 percent earned $75,190 to $80,970, according to the BLS. Job seekers will find broad menu of job postings on sites like CareerBuilder.com and Craigslist.org. The National Association for the Education of Young Children website also maintains a frequently updated career forum.
