Early childhood education is a career field that is becoming increasingly popular, especially among those who enjoy young children and have a desire to help to shape their learning. This growing field has opened up many different job opportunities; you can work with children right from birth to grade 3 or so, which is 8 years of age. You should be capable of immense caring and have huge reserves of patience, and should be able to teach children using innovative and varied instructional methods. This is a field where you can dramatically influence the lives of children and you will have a direct impact on their emotional, social and academic learning. This is a big responsibility indeed, and is one that should never be taken lightly!

Courses such as the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and the more advanced Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care include units of study encompassing child growth and development, health and safety of children, relationship guidance and theory application. Many employers have now made it mandatory for workers to hold at least a certificate or a childhood education diploma in early childhood education.

Your level of education determines your eligibility for different job opportunities in the field of early childhood education. Generally, the salary you are capable of earning will depend on your education and experience levels.

So, is this the career you are looking for? Consider these qualities that can help you make up your mind:

• Do you love to be around children?

You will need to be around young children for extended periods of time, so if you do not like noise- or a messy environment … or simply don’t like kids…then this career is not for you.

• Are you a patient and compassionate person?

Children can be enormously vexing at the best of times…and when they are sleepy or cranky they are known to throw tantrums that can be difficult to handle. A gentle and compassionate nature, with loads of patience and tolerance is a primary requisite for this field.

• Are you creative and adaptive?

Childcare workers should be able to think out of the box and adopt unique ways of teaching. It’s not easy to hold a toddler’s interest and you should be able to find out what inspires and motivates young minds. Storytelling, art and craft work, educational games and play-acting are all ways you could choose to make learning fun.

Recognise that you are likely to be the adult with whom the child interacts with the most, outside of his or her family. You should be able to give children the loving support and firm guidance they need to give them the right basics, and shape their perception of the world and moral outlook in the right way. Children’s brains develop faster before the age of eight than at any other times in their lives, and every little action or reaction of yours will be noted and stored for future use in their minds!

Early childhood education is doubtlessly a critical and fundamental stage of learning; if you feel this is the right choice for you then so check out some courses that can get you started down this career path.

Usha Sunil

 

Interested in becoming a childcare worker?

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