Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

"A B C D E F G" The first years of a child's life are the most formative. This is especially true when it comes to education and learning habits. A child's mind is so ripe for receiving knowledge that it will literally absorb anything that goes on in front of it. Children's minds develop so rapidly that it is essential to teach them everything we can in those early years so that a solid educational foundation is laid for their future. As more and more parents are recognizing the necessity of a strong early childhood education, more and more qualified teaching professionals are being demanded to teach these youths.

When you obtain your Associate's Degree in early childhood education, you will acquire those specific skills and techniques that will help mold the minds of the next generation. There are a number of advantages to earning your degree in this field, and a wide range of benefits that you and those students of yours will receive. From songs to pictures, letters to numbers, your work helps to expose eager young minds to the possibilities of the world around them.

Working with children in an educational environment requires much more than just talking to them about numbers and reading a few stories. It involves a host of different techniques and skillsets to appropriately navigate each child through the essentials of learning. Early childhood education typically refers to children who are five years old or younger, but could include children who are up to eight years old. An Associate's Degree in early childhood education makes you a talented teaching professional by giving you skills with the fundamental teaching practices, childhood psychology, literacy and learning, curriculum training, language development, and general health and safety awareness. These skills and knowledge are essential to maintaining a healthy learning environment and working efficiently to develop each student's education.

The first area that most people consider when they think about early childhood education is a preschool, prekindergarten, or kindergarten classroom at a public or private school. Employment at a public school requires teacher certification that is obtained in addition to a degree. There, working alongside a team of other teachers and administrators, you will develop the classroom activities to facilitate student learning of language, letters, numbers, nature, and family. You will also train students on those social essentials, like sharing, listening, being aware of strangers, remembering their phone number, and being kind to others. You're not only a teacher; you are essentially laying a foundation for childrens understanding of the world around them.

Schools, however, are not the only places employing early childhood education specialists. Tutoring centers abound now more than ever, and parents enthusiastically enroll their little ones for additional education either to get ahead or to keep from falling behind. Even daycares whose primary responsibility is to watch children are making themselves more attractive by employing talented early childhood educators to make the environment one of learning rather than just one of babysitting. With your Associate's Degree and with your love of learning, you will easily inspire children to learn about the world around them.

Those early years of life are often considered the most essential. An Associate's Degree in early childhood education puts you in an incredible important role of helping to foster the development of children's education. Whether you are working as a teacher, a tutor, a curriculum developer for daycares, or at any number of places that promotes childhood learning, you will be employing your skills to teach the next generation of citizens. So get ready to learn about children, and to re-learn all of those songs, pictures, stories, and other techniques that helped you become thrilled with learning.

Course Curriculum for your Associate’s Degree

Early childhood education is a great career that is full of challenges. Below you’ll find colleges that offer Associates degree in early childhood education. These two year degrees are typically 60-65 credit hours in length and can be taken online or at a physical campus location.

Introduction to Early Childhood Education – Learn the philosophies of different types of early childhood programs. Understand about diversity in the classroom and how it plays a role in the development of that child.

Health and Safety – Learn how to develop specific programs so a child can lead a healthy lifestyle.

Curriculum – Develop lesson plans and curriculum based on grade level and need. Study student assessments as learn how to give feedback to parents regarding the outcomes of these assessments.

Family Impact – Learn how community and family can impact a child’s life and their future development.

Teaching Techniques – Develop and learn different teaching techniques and strategies for all grade levels. Take child behavioral management courses as well as learn ways of teaching kids with advanced IQ’s.

Culture – Culture is very important to many families and you’ll be taught how different cultures teach their kids and how religion and customs play a role in teaching children.

Special Needs – It is important that you have a full understanding of how to work with special needs children. Often special needs children are overlooked early on in education and you’ll learn how to spot, work with and communicate with the parents in order to give the child the attention they deserve.

Teacher Recruitment –If you are considering going into management at a school then it is recommended besides your Associate’s degree in early childhood development that you also earn a degree in business. During your degree you’ll learn about budgeting as well as take communications degrees which will help you find the best instructors as well as being able to train your teaching staff.

 

Types of Early Childhood Careers Available

Kindergarten or Preschool Teachers – Typically the age of children you’ll deal with is under the age of 4. As a preschool teacher you’ll teach them the basics and introduce them to all the concepts they will master in kindergarten.

Schools Directors – As a school director you’ll be responsible for every aspect of the school including the hiring of the teachers, budgeting as well as student enrollments.

Administration – Administrators play a special role at a school. Many can work in the front office assisting other teachers and parents where other might serve as a secretary for the Principal or Dean of a department.

Daycare – Having your degree will help you get employed at a daycare but also it can give you the knowledge needed to open up your own daycare facility.

Curriculum Development – Every school needs individuals who are responsible for creating the curriculum for the early grades 1-3. Each grade is set-up specifically to teach the child certain skills that they can continue with the following year. You’ll be responsible for creating this curriculum that is based on assessments and guidelines given to you by the state.

 

Licensing Requirement

Depending on where you work you may be required to have your teachers license to work in early childhood development. After your Associate’s degree you need to find a school where you can transfer your credits into in order to earn your BA. Some private schools however might waive the requirement of having a license. It is recommended either way that you only enroll in a school that is fully accredited which will give you the best chances of transferring those credits in the event you need to obtain your state teachers license.

 

Resources
Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/early-childhood-education/
Early Childhood News - http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - http://www.nbpts.org/