Things to Consider Before Applying to an Early Childhood Education Program

If you’ve been told that you have a knack for working with kids and you’ve thought teaching might be a rewarding and fulfilling career, then pursuing a degree in early childhood education (ECE) could be the best thing you ever do.

Becoming an early childhood educator requires more than simply having an interest in working with children, so before you officially enroll into an early childhood education program, here are some questions to ask yourself first:

Can I Handle a Hectic Work Environment?

If a quiet, private office without any distractions is your dream come true, then a teacher’s life might not be right for you. Early childhood educators deal with a noisy and chaotic environment where things don’t always go as planned. A successful ECE is one who can go with the flow, even when things around them aren’t going according to plan.

Can I Lead with Confidence?

Not everyone is cut out for a career as an early childhood educator. Being the main adult in charge is a big responsibility that requires strong leadership skills in order to motivate and guide students in the right direction, as well as being able to handle conflicts and behavioral issues with confidence and maturity.

Having strong communication skills is essential as you will need to communicate your concerns with the parents and caregivers of your students, as well as effectively communicate with fellow staff members, and of course the students.

Am I Creative?

Young children have short attention spans, so it’s important that you have the skills and ability to think outside the box and be able to create interesting lessons that will engage and motivate young students to want to get involved and participate.

Do I Have Enough Patience?

Personality matters when it comes to working with children. The best ECE professionals are those who remain calm and collected under pressure. Young children can and will test your patience, so it’s important not to act out in moments of anger or frustration.

Am I Able to Adapt Easily?

When dealing with young children, you can never know what to expect. Kids can get injured, sick, or an unplanned event can pop up in an instant. Even the most well thought plans can quickly become derailed in a young classroom. Being adaptable and resourceful when adjusting your plans at the drop of a hat is necessary. Resourceful teachers also have an ability to make do with what they have available to them at any given moment.

Can I Keep Things Neat and Organized?

While teaching can sometimes lead to a chaotic and hectic environment, the ability to keep your classroom neat and organized can help reduce the chaos and clutter to a minimum. By keeping your classroom organized, you will be able to quickly find materials you need, therefore reducing downtime that can lead to destruction and mayhem.

Can I Keep Up?

Kids are bursting with energy and love to run, jump, and climb. It’s only natural that working as an ECE can lead to exhaustion and fatigue. You need a certain level of endurance to keep up with energetic children because there won’t be a lot of time for sitting during your day.

Did You Answer “Yes” to Any of the Questions Above?

If you’re ready to take the next step towards earning a degree in early childhood education, contact Athena Career Academy to learn more about our accredited early childhood education program. We can help start you on the right path to success with our knowledgeable, experienced faculty, caring staff, and flexible class schedules.