Thinking back, do you have a fond memory of a former school teacher that helped you become who you are today? Did they spark an interest in a certain subject that opened up a whole new world to learning for you? Were they creative, interesting and engaging? Most everyone has that person to reflect upon, however, in most cases, it happened when you were older, perhaps not until High School. But, before you got to this point, there was someone else cheering you on… someone who you may not even remember. Who could that be, you ask? A special teacher who specialized in your early childhood education. They were laying down the foundation for you to build upon.
To shape the mind of a child is an awesome responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Since you are earning your online Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, you have already shown signs of the absolute passion and love you have for children. Your commitment to contributing to the life of a child in a positive way is exemplary and should be commended. Parents will trust you with teaching their little ones the necessary life lessons needed while they are not available.
So, what is expected of you as an early childhood educator? The short answer would be just about everything. As an infant or young child, they are totally dependent upon you for all aspects of existence. They have physical needs, emotional needs and the curiosity that demands constant attention, as well as, discovering fun and interesting ways to educate them. While creating a lifetime love for learning, you will play an integral role in their lives, often serving as a surrogate parent, so to speak.
There are many good qualities required by the early childhood educator. You must have a true and genuine heart for service. You must have excellent communication skills, in addition to, being a good listener. Little ones will depend on you to care about what matters to them and will appreciate you communicating with them on levels they can understand. As all children are different, you will need to be adaptable to each child’s strengths and weaknesses. The early childhood educator must be a person of integrity and dependability, patient, creative and self-motivated. You must be totally committed to the well-being of your children and willing to go the extra mile to assure a child’s potential is met.
Your online Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education will allow you an entry-level job into the field of preschool or other pre-kindergarten facilities. In today’s society, children are expected to know the alphabet basics and counting before they enter kindergarten. As an early childhood educator, helping students with learning these necessities and how to play cohesively with others will be your main job concerns. The development of social skills is imperative for our young ones to assure proper mannerly behavior in their future.
If you are interested in a rewarding and truly worthwhile career in this field, please see our list of the Top Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Online Degree Programs.