With so many Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs available, choosing the right one may seem challenging. You know a good program covers the essential knowledge and skills you need to offer students a quality education, but what would make one of these options the best fit for you?
We’ve compiled a few simple questions you can answer during your research to ensure you find the best fit for you. These questions will help you narrow down your options, make an informed decision, and feel confident your choice aligns with your career goals.
What Are My Career Goals?
Understanding the different types of ECE programs available and what positions you may qualify for can help ensure your choice steadily moves you toward your goals.
ECE majors can offer graduates a variety of award types like a certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, and more advanced degrees. While it may be tempting to choose the quickest option to begin your teaching career, not all ECE majors will help you accomplish the same goals. Depending on the age or grade you plan to teach, you may need to hold a specific degree type to qualify.
Preschool teachers typically need at least an associate’s degree, while kindergarten and elementary school teachers need at least a bachelor’s. You can always pursue more advanced degrees to showcase your mastery of specific topics and skills, but it’s important to make sure your choice can help you achieve your goal.
What Will I Learn?
Working with children ages zero to eight requires you to have a solid understanding of subject matter, classroom management, lesson planning, a child’s typical growth and development, and more. As an educator, you’ll ensure each child receives a quality education in a safe and inclusive learning environment. If a student has difficulty meeting milestones for their age, you’ll have the skills to work with the child and family unit to address concerns.
As an early childhood educator, you’re in the unique position of being able to help shape how children view learning. You can also identify learning disorders early enough in a student’s academic career that they can receive the assistance they need to thrive in later years.
Typically, ECE programs focus on topics including, but not limited to:
- math
- English
- childhood growth and development
- language development
- cognition and behavior
- teaching students with special needs
- classroom management
- art and more
Berry College’s ECE major expands upon a traditional curriculum by including Teaching English as a Second Language courses, a reading endorsement, an autism endorsement, and an internship that includes one year of student teaching experience.
As a result, Berry College’s ECE graduates are better prepared to work with children from multilingual backgrounds and who have special needs such as autism spectrum disorders. Its campus is also home to four lab schools where students have access to meaningful child development, early learning, elementary, and middle-grade experiences.
This ensures students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively teach diverse populations of children in an ECE setting.
How Well Will It Prepare Me for Licensure?
Depending on what grade you plan to teach, you must earn licensure before you can lead your own classes. Prior to earning licensure, you’ll likely need to earn certification by completing one or more Praxis exams or an equivalent exam. For example, educators in Tennessee can choose to take either Praxis or the National Evaluation Series.
The exams you’re required to take may vary depending on your state’s requirements.
The purpose of these exams is to showcase your mastery of different subjects and teaching methods. When researching ECE majors, consider how well they build foundational knowledge of various subjects and the latest teaching methods. These programs can help you feel more confident in your expertise and better prepared when taking your certification and licensure exams.
Does It Offer Chances for Practical Learning Experiences?
While online learning options can offer convenience, they may not include hands-on opportunities to hone your skills in front of students. Even if you have all of the knowledge in the world, you might struggle to share it in a way children can understand. ECE majors that require student teaching as part of their curriculum can help you better relate to your future students.
You can experience firsthand what does and doesn’t work for students. You can learn to adjust your approach as necessary to keep students engaged with the lesson and excited about the material. This is a great way to build confidence in your teaching skills, improve your mastery of subject matter, and develop your own teaching style.
Practical learning experiences are also an excellent way to network with other educators, learn from experienced educators, and tackle common challenges you’ll face in the classroom. The connections you build during practical learning experiences can also be invaluable resources as you approach graduation. They can make you a more competitive job applicant as well as help you land your first teaching position.
What’s the Program’s Reputation and Accreditation Status?
When considering an ECE major, it’s important to check for accreditation. Holding this title means the training and education provided meets industry standards and helps build a strong foundation for aspiring educators. Choosing an accredited program with a positive reputation ensures you’ll receive quality training and lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
If you’re unsure of a program’s reputation, check out student reviews or testimonials on their website. You may also be able to reach out to previous alumni through sites like LinkedIn.
Next Steps
Choosing to become an early childhood educator is an exciting decision. Knowing what questions to ask when researching options can help make the hunt feel less overwhelming. When narrowing down your list of options, keeping the above tips in mind can help ensure you’re making the best choice for you.
With the right major and support, you can lay a solid foundation that can help you both thrive in your new career and empower future students to be enthusiastic lifelong learners.