Making Every Day Count: How Preschool Teachers Make a Lasting Impact in a Short Time

If you're trying to figure out what you’d like to do for a living and you love working with children, consider becoming a preschool teacher. Preschool teachers are responsible for educating and caring for children aged three to five years old. They are instrumental in helping these kids develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.

Earning an early childhood education degree and becoming a preschool teacher can have a huge impact on the lives of the children you work with, which is why it's such a rewarding career.

Ways Preschool Teachers Impact The Lives Of Children

Preschool teachers are essential to the community in a number of different ways. They aren't just helping children become accustomed to a school setting in preparation for primary school. They are also teaching children important life skills that will stay with them throughout their lives. 

Here are some of the ways they make a lasting impact on the lives of young children.

1. Establishing a Positive Learning Environment: A preschool teacher's job is to create a safe, nurturing learning environment that encourages children to explore and learn. They guide children through activities that help them develop the skills they need for primary school as well as throughout adulthood, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and social interaction.
2. Encouraging Curiosity and Exploration: Preschool teachers can encourage curiosity and exploration in children by providing them with a variety of interesting activities. Through play-based learning, preschoolers can investigate their interests in order to gain knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
3. Building Relationships: Preschool teachers establish close relationships with their students. They build trust while also providing guidance and care, which helps children form positive attachments to other adults. This is extremely important for a child's social and emotional development.
4. Facilitating Self-Esteem: Preschool teachers are able to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement, which can help children develop a healthy level of self-esteem. This is an essential life skill that children will carry with them as they grow older.
5. Creating a Safe Emotional Space: Preschool teachers understand how to create a safe and accepting environment for children. They are able to recognize signs of distress and help children process and discuss their emotions in order to develop valuable coping mechanisms. This helps children form strong foundations for emotional and mental health, which will stay with them throughout their lives.

The Positive Impact of Early Childhood Education

You may not think that a preschool teacher has that big of an impact on the development of a child. After all, most people don't have a whole lot of memories of their time in preschool. However, research has shown that preschool can be incredibly beneficial for a child's development. Children who get an early academic start through quality preschool education are more likely to enjoy their educational career. Kids who enjoy learning are more likely to graduate high school and earn a college degree. Early childhood educators can set the stage for academic success which can lead to a generation of problem-solvers who will make a positive impact on their communities as adults.

Pursue a Career in Early Childhood Education

Becoming a preschool teacher is an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young children. Not only will you be helping these kids build social, emotional, and cognitive skills, but you'll also be helping them build strong foundations for their future. If you're looking for a rewarding career that has a lasting impact, consider becoming a preschool teacher. For information about enrolling in our Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program, contact Athena Career Academy today.