Considering a degree in education? There are a few options as far as majors. You can choose to major in elementary education, school administration, or secondary school. All lead to very rewarding careers; however, if you prefer working with small children, such as preschoolers, you may want to settle on an degree in early childhood education.
Coursework in an early childhood education program can involve teaching theory, as well as the subjects that will be used in teaching preschoolers. There will be classes in the basics — language development, reading, and math. In addition, since children have to use computers at an early age now, future teachers will be given classes on that too. To work best with children, an understanding of child psychology is provided as well.
You can get an Associate’s degree in early childhood education at many colleges. Sometimes a certificate is even enough, but two years worth of education on children is very beneficial. An Associate’s degree will prepare you for entry-level work with children at daycare centers and preschools. All childcare centers have different requirements, but an Associate’s degree should get you in the door of any school as a qualified teacher.
You can go for a Bachelor’s in early childhood education, but you are not obligated. An Associate’s degree will allow you to operate to the fullest within the field, so a Bachelor’s degree is just additional. However, you will have the opportunity to learn more about children and possibly teach even better. In addition, should you decide to quit preschool teaching, you could use your degree to teach elementary school or become an administrator.
If you are considering this field, you should understand what these educators do. They have a very difficult and important job, which includes caring for and teaching classes comprised of three to five year-old students. It can be very stressful, but also very rewarding. They will be one of the first people to teach these tiny children everything they will need in their lives, including language skills, literacy, and even computers. They will introduce children to books, music, and even art.
This is a good field to enter because there are many jobs available. Qualified teachers are in heavy demand because of the large amount of turnovers. They are also in demand because, as reported in the Bureau of Labor, the career is expanding larger than most. Preschool is becoming of higher importance now because of its educational benefits and because of parents’ higher needs for childcare. It is an important and reliable job to have right now.
It is unfortunate considering all the hard work put into a career in early childhood education that the educators get paid so poorly. As a preschool teacher, you can expect to earn an average of $23,870, as reported in the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, with advancement, you could earn a higher salary, up to $45,000.