What Is Purpose Of Early Childhood Education? Why It's So Important

Some states and districts have developed thoughtful, holistic systems that can be used from preschool through early elementary school to support developmentally appropriate instruction. Early childhood education is a rewarding career for individuals who are passionate about helping children learn and grow. If you want to work with pre-school and early elementary school children, this program will prepare you to work in a variety of early childhood and educational settings. With a focused foundation of early childhood theory and practice, you'll learn the developmental milestones and maturity markers that occur as a child grows which will help you lead children in their influential years. It is essential that a child sees themself as a capable learner, who can grapple with new topics that may seem tricky at first, and resist giving up when a topic or task becomes difficult.

Aggregated assessment data can also be used to identify system-level patterns, strengths, and gaps that can inform equitable resource allocation and investments in early childhood and elementary programs and initiatives. Kindergarten entry assessments, when well designed and well used, have the potential to support high-quality equitable learning by guiding instruction and supporting whole child development. However, when poorly designed or misused they can foster poor teaching practices and exacerbate inequity.

General Early Childhood Education Program Requirements

We have multiple pathways for those with limited English proficiency, including I-BEST and classes taught in Somali, Arabic, Spanish and Oromo. UNICEF reports that although breastfeeding rates remain relatively low in Djibouti, this intervention program has resulted in significant increases in breastfeeding (25% from just over 1% before 5 years). Involving parents and communities, as well as providing more formalized interventions in supporting early development and learning, has therefore become increasingly important.

This course will introduce Indigenous philosophies that guide early childhood education. You will study the developmental milestones from conception through the stages of infancy, toddlerhood to age five. The course provides an introduction to the theories of learning and personality, brain development and methods of studying human behavior, including indigenous world views. You will learn about the effects of heredity and the environment, including culture, on the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of children and behavior. You will learn about basic health, safety and behaviour as well as how to understand children's environments and early learning mechanisms.

Commonly, early childhood educators will work within a school setting but can work from care centers or private residences. Listed below are potential workplaces for early childhood education professionals. ECE curriculums are set up to encourage young students to learn about themselves and the world via experiences. This could include indoor or outdoor play, cooperative or individual play, domestic play, sensory play and constructive play, to name just a few types.

This is done within that activity's zone—the distance between where the child is, and where he potentially will be. In each zone of proximal development, they build on skills and grow by learning more skills in their proximal development range. Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves students through applied learning opportunities on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories and the homeland of the Métis. Learning takes place at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon and through extensive distance education opportunities.

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Children learn through sharing toys, taking turns, and interacting with their teachers and each other. The classrooms themselves are very lively, brightly decorated with posters of the alphabet, maps, number tables and student artwork. Classrooms must be interactive and stimulating to foster an exciting learning environment. Teacher-student ratios are also closely monitored to ensure close interactions, and class sizes are kept relatively small.

You will also learn to plan early childhood education curriculums for a variety of levels, and will develop your writing and communication skills to work with children, parents, and members of the education and teaching system. Children need a physical setting—both inside and outdoors—where they can play, explore, and learn safely. The learning environment needs to include engaging and developmentally appropriate materials and be arranged to promote independence and exploration based on children’s different stages of development. For example, infants need to interact with their environment in a very physical way, examining cause and effect relationships by touching and feeling objects.

International Data Development

Research shows that children who go to preschool are more likely to graduate high school, earn higher salaries and own homes. Equip your program with tools that provide the best learning experiences for young children, and provide student educators with the highest quality professional preparation. High-quality early childhood experiences depend upon ongoing formative assessments. High-quality assessments enable teachers to monitor each student’s changing skills and competencies and to tailor instruction to reinforce children’s strengths and support individualized growth.

What Will I Learn In A Masters In Early Childhood Education Program?

If you’re passionate about teaching children—and passionate about helping ensure they are equipped with the intellectual building blocks necessary for future success—an early childhood education degree, particularly a master’s in early childhood education, might be for you. You can learn more about ourEarly Childhood Education Program, and schedule your visit to ASP today in order to see for yourself the joyful learning environment that awaits your child. Because of the higher than average growth rate and full-time employment prospects held out by a career as an early childhood educator, this career path is the perfect choice for those who have a passion for teaching and who relate well to children. For those that choose to pursue work as an ECE, there are some very specific educational requirements.

Please note, based on availability your practicum may be outside of your program location. Connect with your peers at one of our events and get the latest research, best practices, and tools. Explore key early childhood topics such Developmentally Appropriate Practice, play, and math.

You teach them how to share, how to take turns, how to have manners--lessons that stay with them and evolve with each crucial phase of their life. Despite increasing public interest in early childhood education, preschools are still generally considered private schools. Many are funded by tuition and donations, and because the government does not mandate preschool, it is considered an option for families. However, the evidence of the lasting effects of preschool has prompted some government action.

Stay up-to-date on issues in early childhood education and hear perspectives from a wide range of educators. Search an ECE degree directory, explore professional standards, and join our community of practice. If you want to continue your education after completing your degree, we have several four-year transfer partnership in place.