Are You Cut Out for a Career in Early Childhood Education?

Sep 4, 2018

As a career, teaching offers plenty of scope for specialisation. High school teaching and early childhood education for instance are obviously quite different!

If you are interested in becoming an early childhood educator, then you need to have a clear idea of what’s involved in the role, and what skills and traits will help you on the way.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

Unlike teaching at high school level, where students are more self-sufficient and the focus is on preparing for tertiary education or the workforce, early childhood education is where everything begins.

This specialisation is all about starting out with foundation skills such as reading and writing, and setting behaviours for lifelong learning. Your role is not only to educate, but to care for and hopefully inspire.

Good qualifications are only part of the equation. Teaching success depends largely on the personal attributes that you bring to your role, including energy, dedication and adaptability.

Children can be hard work but they are often also funny and enjoyable to be around, and it’s important that you truly enjoy their company. A great teacher is one who sees teaching not just as a job, but as chance to truly make a positive difference each and every day.

ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILLS

Good communication is an important part of teaching at any age but particularly so with young children. Young ones are still learning so much about who they and how the world works and they are often also still coming to grips with social behaviours.

They may be brimming with energy and ideas, emotional, exhausted or exhausting. Ultimately, each is a unique individual who may require a different teaching approach. As such you need to be patient, perseverant, versatile, a great listener and a creative thinker who can suggest solutions to specific learning and social challenges.

A good sense of humour and positive approach is also vital, so you can focus on what’s possible and how best to help children learn, create, relate and become positive, happy and dedicated students.

IS IT FOR YOU?

Early childhood educators play an incredibly important role in educating, inspiring and caring for young minds.

If you want to apply to be a teacher, these are the skills that will help you on the way. If you already have your qualification and are looking for teaching jobs, then we can help you find the right position in early education.

We have listings from quality schools that are looking for dedicated, energetic teachers who love kids, and love their job. Search our job boards, or if you have any queries, we’re here to offer advice and assistance.