Career Opportunities in Early Childhood

Education

Working with young children opens the doors for careers in a variety of industries,
from education to health care to social work. 

Preschool Teacher or Director at Private, Public, or Charter

School
Being successful as a preschool teacher is predicated on building a safe, secure,
nurturing environment for young children to be creative and learn through play.
Young children learn primarily through hands-on activities and play, so a day
teaching in a preschool setting could involve games, music, art, books, and more. It
will also involve helping children learn social and emotional skills, including how to
get along with others so they can thrive through kindergarten and beyond.  

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher

Just like in preschool, children undergo major developmental changes in their early
elementary school years, so they need a safe and nurturing environment to grow
and learn. Your responsibilities as an early elementary teacher mirror those of
preschool teachers — lesson plans, daily schedules, tracking progress of students
— and you’ll continue to guide the emotional and social development of students.
In elementary school, though, students are frequently in and out of their regular
classroom for other activities such as recess, lunch, enrichment activities, and field
trips, so the role requires a good deal of supervision. 

Child Life Specialist

Being a child life specialist in a hospital or other medical setting affords you the
opportunity to work in the healthcare field without being a nurse or doctor. Child
life specialists work with children and families to help them cope with challenges
such as hospitalization, illness, and disability. You would provide children with
preparation for medical procedures or surgeries, such as meditation or breathing
techniques, and provide information, guidance, and support to the child’s family
members. 

Nanny 
More formally called a “home-based service provider,” a nanny can wear a lot of
hats, and the role typically depends on the family in whose home they’re providing
care. Nannies generally are responsible for providing attentive, nurturing care to
the children they regularly look after. It can vary from simple supervision to
additional responsibilities such as grocery shopping, maintaining a clean house,
and shuttling children to and from activities. Sometimes nannies are live-in
positions, in which you live in the same house or on the same property so you can
be available to take care of the children at all times.  

Infant Teacher
You might not think there’s much “teaching” done when care for children age 3 and
younger, but an infant teacher will tell you that’s not the case. As a certified,
professional teacher, these educators specialize in providing that learning
environment to babies and toddlers from 3 months to 3 years in age. You must be
passionate about instilling values in young children, teaching them to communicate
respectfully, and creating an environment where children can learn, explore,
mature, and interact with others, which is essential to helping them succeed in a
more structured pre-K environment. 

Behavioral Analyst
In schools, behavioral analysts work with patients to overcome mental and social
disabilities, such as autism and other developmental disabilities. As a behavioral
analyst, you assess, evaluate, then treat students’ social, behavioral and learning
problems, based on each patient’s distinct needs and development. You also
advocate for those students by educating teachers, caregivers, and families about
mental and social disabilities, in addition to effecting change by informing school
programs related to those types of disabilities.  

Early Intervention Specialist

Working within the field of special education, an early intervention specialist works
with children from birth to age 4 to identify and address developmental delays. By
providing assistance at the first warning signs of any educational or developmental
difficulty, children show significantly lower physical, intellectual, speech, or
behavioral issues in the long run. You can work in a preschool but typically visit
children within their homes, and you could be employed by school districts,
regional programs, or medical providers. 

Childcare Consultant
When expectant or new parents are having trouble finding the childcare situation
to suit their needs, that’s when a childcare consultant can step in. Your job would
be to guide parents through the childcare search and hiring process, and along the
way educate them on the local requirements and standards, assist families to
communicate their childcare needs and preferences, offer resources, and
ultimately find the right match in a childcare provider. 

Family Support Specialist

A form of social work, the family support specialist career focuses on facilitating
care for families in need, offering both counseling and rehabilitative services to
families going through crises, such as domestic violence or caring for a disabled
family member. It involves meeting with families to determine their needs, then
arranging assistance through education programs, daycare, affordable housing, or
food programs. Having a solid grasp of child development would help you meet the
needs of the entire family.  

Head Start Teacher

Through the federally funded Head Start program, which provides education,
healthcare, and nutrition services to young children in low-income families,
teachers can make a difference in the lives of children ages 3 to 5. You would likely
supervise classrooms for pre-K students, plan lessons, and use your knowledge of
child development to help students succeed in their education. 

If you enjoy working with or on behalf of children, you’ll be able to find a career that
matches your passions and skills
In addition to the opportunities outlined above, you could also pursue a career as a
special education teacher, school counselor, researcher, teacher’s assistant,
marriage and family counselor, social service worker for children, foster care
provider, behavioral therapist, and parent educator. If you enjoy working with or on
behalf of children, you’ll be able to find a career that matches your passions and
skills.

What Are Some Careers In

Early Child Education?
4 min read
Jun 06, 2019
By : Belle O. Mapa

Got a way with kids? Or maybe you just like the thought of shaping the minds of our future
generation! The first years of our lives, after all, are the most important and lay the foundation
for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. So maybe you’ve got a future in early child
education or development? What kinds of careers can you look out for next? Here’s a handy list,
for starters!
What is Early Child Education / Development?
Both fields cover early learners—infants to children around 8 years old. That is, how they learn
and understand, the changes they go through, how children grow, and how they can improve.
To differentiate: Early Child Education is a branch of education and is often a track or course
under most university programs. This branch of education deals, more specifically, with training
teachers and their behavior toward early learners and their community.
Meanwhile, Early Child Development is a broader or larger field used to describe areas relating
to research, science, relationships, among others about the developing mind of young learners. In
other words, Early Child Development can be more interdisciplinary since it covers a lot more
bases: psychology, biology, medicine, social sciences, and more.
Now, what careers can you expect to get into?
Preschool Teacher
Has anyone ever told you that you’re good with kids? Do you have a passion for teaching,
particularly little ones? Then maybe becoming a preschool teacher is for you! It’s all about
creating a safe and nurturing environment so that early learners can transition into the
educational system. You’ll be monitoring the kids’ behavior and teaching them early social,
intellectual, and emotional skills.
Besides communication and organization skills, patience is a must!
Early Childhood Special Education
Children all grow and develop at a different pace, and that’s totally normal! Some have different
needs that go beyond standardized educational methods. That’s where special education teachers
come in, to give these children a safe and structured environment to grow. A special education
teacher might work with children on the autism spectrum or those with learning disabilities.
Another important part of your job is also working with parents and caretakers to reinforce
healthy development at home. So creativity, empathy, interpersonal skills are just as important as
your knowledge of childhood development.
Childcare Center Director
Down the line, you might want to think of setting up a childcare center to foster a healthy and
safe environment for early learners. Childcare Center Directors combine administrative duties
with their knowledge of childhood development to run the daily operations of, say, a preschool
or a daycare. They oversee curriculum creation, hiring and training teachers, budgets for the
facilities, and maintaining a good relationship with parents and other stakeholders.
You could set up your own space or work in private or public institutions. But definitely,
coordination and organization, leadership, administration, and time management skills are what
you gotta work on.
Child Psychologist / Counselor
When most people think of mental illness, they think of adults. But children are just as
susceptible psychological distress too. Because children think, grow, and develop differently, the
training and approach of a child counselor or psychologist is much different. Often, child
psychologists deal with explaining difficult concepts to children in ways they can understand. So
a bit of creativity, critical thinking, analysis, and most definitely communication skills are your
strong suit here.
Child Welfare and Social Services
This might also be another career path worth considering if you want a high-impact career. The
government often deploys social workers who ensure the rights and well-being of children,
especially in vulnerable sectors of the population. Child welfare workers coordinate programs
and oversee cases involving neglected, abused, and disadvantaged children. It’s a tough but
much-needed profession that ensures every child’s right to a healthy upbringing.
Parent Educator
A career in early child education isn’t just limited to teaching early learners. There’s still the
important task of educating the adults that raise them. So if you’ve still got the heart for helping
the young, but kids aren’t really your forté, consider parent education.
You may get to work on childcare programs and community development, doing home visits or
coaching parents on child support, and connecting them to community resources. Parent
educators often work for schools, treatment facilities, and organizations. You’ll need a vast
knowledge of child development and care, counseling, parenting techniques.

4 Emerging Trends in Early Childhood Education

By Brianna Flavin on 03/23/2020

Issues in early childhood education (ECE) are issues you want to know about.
Whether you parent, teach or just simply care about young learners, keeping
an eye on the changes and trends in ECE is a great way to nurture the little
ones in your life.

Even seeing what ECE experts are thinking about can be so inspiring. The one
thing we know for sure about early childhood development is that there’s
always more to discover. Many studies have concluded that, when done
right, ECE provides lasting benefits to all students and has a major impact on
our lives throughout adulthood.
But knowing ECE matters immensely doesn’t always mean we know how to
best guide those brilliant young minds. This is why trends in early childhood
education are so important. It’s how we find new ways forward.

4 Trends in early childhood education to watch for

You don't have to spend hours watching education documentaries or
scouring the internet to keep up with trends in the field. We asked ECE
experts to weigh in on some of the trends they are noticing in early
childhood education today—as well as what might be on the horizon.

1. A new focus on phonics in literacy instruction

“A trend I’m observing—and cheering for—in the field of early childhood

education is the focus upon explicit, systematic phonics in literacy
instruction,” says Dr. Christina Williams, owner of Book Bums. “In the past
two years, more experts and more literacy-focused community groups are
acknowledging that big publishing companies have been promoting
inadequate curriculum.”

Williams explains that research findings have long shown a gap in how ECE
materials and educators teach our code-based language to young learners.
“One of the reasons for the trend toward phonics instruction is the reporting
of Emily Hanford,” she explains.

Much of Hanford’s research centers on the unquestioned assumptions

educators and educational materials have about teaching reading. With ECE
experts re-examining phonics instruction, Williams sees changes coming not
only for young learners—but also for educators. 

How does it affect early childhood education?

“I have seen far too many teachers who haven’t the slightest idea how to
teach kids to read and spell well,” Williams says. She explains that the trouble
begins in universities not teaching teachers to understand phonics
instruction. “Often, student teachers do not adequately understand how
words work, themselves. When they secure their jobs, these young teachers
rely on district-purchased curriculum to guide them, but far too often those
materials use debunked methods that leave far too many readers behind.”

For ECE teachers, this gap leaves lots of room to stand out. Chris Drew, a
university instructor in early childhood education, has also noticed many ECE
professionals working without strong skill or knowledge in phonics methods.
“I’m always impressed by a new staff member who really has a good grasp on
teaching literacy. If you want to stand out for future employers, read up on
how to teach phonics and demonstrate your competency with phonics in
your job interview.”

Since learning to read is connected to success in school and in most of life

thereafter—changing this paradigm is a high priority for ECE experts. “Far too
many of our students struggle to learn to read, and far too many of them
end up in our criminal justice systems,” Williams says. “I am observing that
the trend is changing, and I’m so grateful.”

2. Educating with nature

“Scandinavian approaches like the ‘Forest Schools’ movement are starting to

have an impact in North American ECE settings,” Drew says. It’s no wonder.
Who wouldn’t be interested in trying to bring some of that light, greenery and
fresh air into a school day?

But Drew points out that the trend is more than a surface appreciation of
nature. “These sorts of spaces are great sandpits for development—children
learn about natural environments, develop fine and gross motor skills, and
build a connection to their local ecosystem.”

How does it affect early childhood education?

While Forest Schools themselves are becoming more popular—the natural

space they require is out of reach for many schools. But the trend of teaching
through nature could also show up in other ways, such as teachers making a
conscious effort in incorporate natural elements into the classroom or
dedicating time for outdoor exploration and play.

3. Closing the achievement gap under ESSA

The achievement gap refers to the differences in academic achievement of
different social and economic groups. This is measured through a variety of
metrics, including grade point averages, standardized test scores, dropout
rates, college enrollment and college graduation metrics. The gap is
measured between low-income and high-income households, white and
minority students, males and females, students whose first language is
English and students for whom English is a second (or third) language,
among other factors.

The achievement gap is often used to determine funding for ECE. When
the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) passed in 2015, states gained the
opportunity to evaluate their ECE needs and request grants from the federal
government. These grants are then used to fund targeted programs
designed to help improve literacy and other important academic skills for
those involved.

How does it affect early childhood education?

Assessment of student learning is a crucial element of a successful

education, as it can help educators identify learning needs early on. But it is
also one of the primary metrics schools have to determine if they are
succeeding with their young learners.

Early education centers with disadvantaged students—such as children from

low-income families, foster children or children who are learning English as a
second language—may gain more funding from the state when they can
prove academic progress with these students is closing the achievement gap.

For those working in early education, this might mean more ongoing
education, formal assessments and new state-wide initiatives. Check
out Understanding ESSA to read about the impacts in your state.

4. Technology in child development

Technology is an ongoing trend in ECE—as it is in pretty much every industry.

It’s a constant balance for ECE experts to decide how to teach with
technology, while also teaching digital resilience as they know children are
likely to interact with devices at home.
Like it or not, technology and device usage by young children is a fact of life
for large number of children. Children are owning devices and using the
internet at a young age—and are spending much more time in front of
small screens.

How does it affect early childhood education?

Discovering resources that meet the needs of students can greatly enrich the
current material they are learning. Even with the proven effectiveness
of technology in the classroom, educators are left with a few questions:
What role should technology play in our classrooms? What should we teach
our students about using technology?

One of the most important elements to consider is how children are

interacting with the technology, ensuring that new tools are developing
positive behavior. Technology—or screen time—also comes in many forms.
According to the Common Sense Census, these are the four main forms:

 Passive consumption: Watching TV, reading and listening to music

 Interactive consumption: Playing games and browsing the Internet
 Communication: Video-chatting and using social media
 Content creation: Using devices to make digital art or music

When it comes to the question of how much technology to incorporate into

lesson plans, Common Sense Media recommends no more than one hour
per day.

A trend of society recognizing the importance of

ECE
“There is an increasing awareness that the early years are the most vital
years of life,” Drew says. While early childhood educators and psychologists
have been talking about this for a long time—public awareness, as well as
laws and the funding around early education has been lagging.
“Expect to see increasing investment in ECE in the coming decade as states
and nations realize early support for children delivers big rewards down the
track.”

An important characteristic of the most effective ECE professionals is the

commitment to always continue educating themselves regarding the trends,
changes, studies and conversations in the industry. Armed with these three
trends in early childhood education, you may find yourself better prepared to
help your students succeed.

You can even help the people around you understand why early childhood
education matters so very much. See our article, “5 Reasons Why the
Importance of ECE Is Impossible to Ignore,” for an inspiring breakdown on
why we care so much about our little learners!

The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen College are not

accredited by the NAEYC Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree
Accreditation. Rasmussen College is not a partner of NAEYC and our
programs are not sponsored or endorsed by NAEYC.
Graduates of Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen College are
not eligible for licensure as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school.
A Bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license are typically required to
work as a teacher in a public school and some private school settings. States,
municipalities, districts or individual schools may have more stringent
licensing requirements. Students must determine the licensure requirements
in the state and school in which they intend to work.
Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish
qualifications for staff who work with children, and often implement
guidelines regarding age, education, experience and professional
development. Students must determine the licensure requirements for the
state and facilities in which they work.
This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing
body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state-issued
professional license. For further information on professional licensing
requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state
of residence.
ssues in Early Childhood Education
in 2022
 December 20, 2022
Since the beginning of organized childcare, providers have faced a number of
issues in early childhood education. Not to mention the onslaught of
additional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At ChildCare Education Institute, we’ve spent the last 15+ years helping
teachers navigate life in and out of the classroom. As a result, we’ve seen
first-hand the problems facing early childhood education — and we’ve learned
that the first step to addressing these problems is a better awareness of
them.

That’s why we’re breaking down the most prominent issues in early childhood
education and how you can best tackle them.

Workplace burnout.
One of the leading problems facing early childhood education is an escalating
rate of teacher burnout. According to a 2022 poll, nearly half of all preschool
teachers admitted to experiencing high levels of stress and burnout over the
past few years.

While some of that stress is inherent to the job, most of the additional burnout
has come from a severe staffing shortage affecting centers and programs
across the country. Since early 2020, 8.4% of the childcare workforce has left
for other professions — which is especially worrying considering many centers
were experiencing staffing problems before the pandemic.

As a result, the teachers that stayed are dealing with longer hours, larger
classrooms, and in some cases, new, mixed-age teaching environments.
For those educators lucky enough to find themselves at fully staffed centers,
there are still a number of new stressors brought about by COVID-19,
including new safety measures, check-in protocols, and more.

What can you do?: If you’re an educator experiencing workplace burnout, our
course Stress Management for Child Care Providers is a great first step
toward learning how to cope with your professional stress. We also
recommend scheduling a regular time to reflect on the positives of each day
and remember what drew you to early childhood education in the first place.

Mental health concerns.

 Though mental health has always been one of the prominent issues in early
childhood education, COVID-19 has truly brought it to the forefront. In Virginia
alone, depression among preschool teachers has risen by 15% since the start
of the pandemic. While this would be troubling for any profession, it’s
especially hard for teachers as their mood can directly impact their student’s
ability to learn and comprehend the material. Funding issues in early
childhood education can also lead to a lack of resources for teachers who
want to seek help.
What can you do?: If you’re experiencing any symptoms of declining mental
health, the most important thing to do is seek help. We recommend starting
with this list of 50 resources from Teach.com.

Lack of resources.
Funding issues in early childhood education are another hurdle many teachers
face. According to a recent study conducted by The Century Fund, the United
States is underfunding public schools by nearly $150 billion annually. As a
result, many childcare providers have to dip into their own pockets to make up
for the small classroom budgets they’re given — something that’s especially
challenging given most teachers are already underpaid.

What can you do?: While there’s nothing you can do to solve funding issues in
early childhood education overnight, there are a number of scholarship and
grant programs available to help teachers with classroom and professional
development expenses. For more information on the latter, click here.
Low levels of compensation.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, early childhood educators earn an
average annual wage of $30,210 in the United States (with the lowest 10%
making just $21,900 per year). When compared to the average public school
teacher’s salary of $65,090, it’s no surprise that compensation is among the
top problems facing early childhood education.

Because the average salary for the profession is so low, most educators are
forced to take on a second job or rely on public income support programs to
make ends meet. These can significantly add to a teacher’s burnout and can
cause stress that spills over into their personal life.

What can you do?: If you’re looking to advocate for higher wages and other
funding issues in early childhood education, there are a number of groups you
can join, including NAEYC. You can also help set yourself apart — and
potentially raise your earning potential — by earning a well-respected
certification, such as your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

Heightened safety concerns.

Another one of the top issues in early childhood education is safety. Since the
start of 2022, there have been more than 300 mass shootings — equating to
roughly four per week. While not all of these shootings have taken place at
schools, enough have left teachers worried about their workplace safety.

In addition to worrying about their own safety while at work, early childhood
educators also often have to worry about the safety of their students.
Because children attending childcare programs can range anywhere from just
a few months to six years of age, there are a number of physical and
environmental dangers present at any given time. Therefore, teachers have to
constantly be on guard, something that can lead to increased levels of stress
and fatigue.

What can you do?: One of the best ways to address safety concerns in the
workplace is to feel confident in your abilities to avoid and — in the worst case
— deal with any issues that may arise. Some of our top-rated safety courses
include:
  Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for Natural and
Man-Made Events
 Fire Safety in the Early Care and Education Environment
 Indoor Safety in the Early Childhood Setting
 Outdoor Safety in the Early Childhood Setting
Ever-evolving technologies.
When COVID-19 hit, schools across the country raced to adopt virtual learning
environments that allowed their students to connect and engage without
having to attend in-person sessions. While it proved to be an effective way to
limit the spread of coronavirus, it didn’t come without its own share of
challenges.

For some families, a lack of access to technology meant they were no longer
able to receive the instruction they needed. For others, not being able to have
one-on-one time with educators led to a decline in learning. Finally, despite the
best attempts from schools and video conferencing providers, teachers and
students still fell victim to technology issues, including lack of connectivity,
dropped calls, and more.

As the pandemic waned and in-person learning resumed, many schools opted
to keep hybrid learning as an option for their students. Despite the added
convenience this affords some families, it has also greatly contributed to one
of the top issues in early childhood education: technology.

As technology changes in the classroom, teachers must race to keep up with

it.

The same goes for the technology students interact with.

Teachers today have to decide how to incorporate technology into their

classrooms, what screen time limits to set for their students and how to
navigate a digital landscape that’s different every year.

What can you do?: The best way to combat the ever-changing technology
landscape in early childhood education is to make sure you’re staying up-to-
date on industry recommendations and research. Our The Child’s Digital
Universe: Technology and Digital Media in Early Childhood course is the
perfect place to start.

Lack of parent engagement and communication.

As any teacher can attest to, trying to build an engaged and communicative
parent base is another one of the prominent issues in early childhood
education. Unlike other professions, teachers have to deal with the 20+
personalities in their classroom, as well as the 40+ personalities of those
students’ guardians. Not to mention the frustration that can result from
parents who are never present — or those who are overly present.

Plus, funding issues in early childhood education can often hamper parent-
teacher communication. For example, some programs might not have the
funds available to provide teachers with software that allows them to quickly
send email blasts to all families. As a result, educators may find themselves
having to send important updates via email one family at a time.

What can you do?: While parent-teacher communication will likely always be
one of the problems facing early childhood education, there are things you can
do as a teacher to lessen the effect it has on you and your classroom. One of
those resources is our course Parent Communication: Building Partners in the
Educational Process.

7 reasons why you should consider professional

development
Great teachers are both passionate and purposeful. They
are passionate about their students and what they teach,
and purposeful in how they teach. Great teachers develop
over time through their commitment to learning—both their
students’ and their own. And because they recognize that
one of the most important factors for students’ success is
the quality of instruction, great teachers pursue continuous
improvement. 
Here are some reasons why professional development will
help you grow.

1. You'll learn something new.

Taking a relevant course or workshop can inspire you to try
things you haven’t tried before. For instance, Universal
Design for Learning could aid in reaching all students in a
changing student population. Project-based learning can
benefit English language learners, where collaboration with
other students can lead to language acquisition in informal
learning settings. A course in dyslexia could help you help
students with this common learning disability.

2. You can exchange ideas, stories, and experiences.

Hearing from other educators can be invigorating and
affirming. Too often, teachers hear “what” and “how” to
teach, rather than being asked about challenges and what
they need to be more effective. Group work with your
colleagues connects new knowledge with the practical
realities of the classroom.

3. You'll get deep learning experiences.

Taking a course, for instance, can help you integrate
theory and practice to develop skills in areas important to
your teaching. Exploring new curriculum content or
pedagogy allows you to use cutting edge theory and
practice in your classroom. Personalizing the professional
development to your teaching makes it more effective.

4. You'll explore topics through short-term sessions.

Workshops provide exploration of current topics in subject
areas or classroom practices. Since standards are always
changing, you can practice new teaching methods with
peers before using them in your classroom. Workshops can
also include hands-on, experiential learning.

5. You can take time for self-reflection.

The rigors of the classroom may not leave much time to
reflect on your practice. Professional development
offerings often will ask you to think and write about your
current practice and what you’d like to improve. The
benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner can be
lasting.

6. You'll develop skills for integrating a creative

process in your classroom.
Just as the artist approaches a blank canvas with ideas
that develop over time, you can approach teaching as a
process of allowing students to take ownership of their own
learning. Learn to integrate the arts into the school day,
using a creative process that includes imagination, design,
innovation, and originality. Discover new ways to bring the
arts into your classroom. 

7. You'll receive points or credits toward license

renewal or an advanced degree.
Professional development helps you keep your license up
to date or gain credits toward your next degree. So while
you're gaining new skills and learning from your peers,
you'll also be keeping up with your professional
obligations.
Professional development allows you to reimagine teaching
and learning. Through the collaboration of teachers with
knowledge of student needs and faculty with knowledge
and experience in areas of critical need—combined with
your passion and purposefulness—you'll continue to grow
as a great educator.

Eight Steps to Advance Your

Professional Development in Early
Childhood Education

You are here

HomeResources / Blog / Eight Steps to Advance Your Professional Development in Early Childhood
Education
TERESA NAREY
02/27/2018

The field of early childhood education has received significant public

attention as the calls for universal pre-K and high-quality child care
become prevalent. As our profession comes under the spotlight,
politicians, researchers, advocates from outside the profession, and
families are examining the field from every angle.

They are asking: Who makes up the field? What are their
qualifications? What are their values? Do early childhood
organizations have clear missions and visions for the future of our
children? The expectations placed on early childhood professionals
are growing with the demand for improved standards in child care.
With this in mind, it is important for early childhood educators to
demonstrate their unique skills and communicate their passions.

Below are eight ways each of us can show we are professionals

ready to meet the challenges of our ever-changing field.

1. Develop a professional portfolio. As Cheryl Priest, an associate

professor for the human development and family studies
program at Central Michigan University, reminds us, “We often
do so much on a daily basis for children and families that we
forget that we too need encouragement and support.” Having a
portfolio in hand allows you to see how you have grown and
changed as a professional. It is physical evidence of your
success.
 

2. Write a statement of teaching philosophy. Carla Goble, an

early childhood education and child development
consultant, and Diane Horm, Founding Director of the ECEI
and George Kaiser Family Foundation Endowed Chair of Early
Childhood Education, explain that developing a statement of
philosophy can be empowering because it helps you clarify
your values and practice. Reminding yourself of why you chose
early childhood education as a profession and what your goals
are for the children in your classroom can reinvigorate your
practice.
 
3. Donate to or join a professional network, like the National
Association for the Education of Young Children, Zero to
Three, or the Children’s Defense Fund, that supports your
teaching interests. These organizations are responsible for
advocating for change in early childhood education and child
care, and they support best practices.
 

4. Share what you learned in a training by creating your own

workshop. Staff meetings are the perfect time to discuss
professional development experiences. Let your colleagues
know about what you learned. Try a technique together and
talk about how it unfolded for the children, the ways it worked,
and how to make it better.
 

5. Advocate for improvements in early childhood education by

writing to your representatives. Do you believe in universal
pre-K? Would you like to limit standardized testing? Are you
passionate about programs that support children’s nutrition
and seek to end childhood obesity? Write letters to your state
and local representatives and voice your concerns. Be clear
about the action you would like to see taken.
 

6. Host a discussion group on a pressing early childhood

education subject. Have a disappointed parent? Are you
curious about ways to improve instruction for English language
learners or want to know more about STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) education? Collect
articles about the topic and invite colleagues to meet at a
coffee shop to read, discuss, and problem solve.
 
 7. Submit a grant application or foundation proposal to fund a
new program or needed equipment at your school. It’s no
secret that many early child care communities lack the
necessary funding to update equipment and materials as often
as they would like. Inviting others to invest in your program has
the potential to cultivate lifelong community partnerships.
 

8. Educate families. Information is everything. When parents and

guardians understand the connection between play and
learning, what we mean when say executive functioning, and
what research and philosophies guide our practices, they
become partners in our effort to provide high- quality care for
their children.