Becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding professions out there. Teachers influence the lives of their students and teach them valuable skills and life lessons that can help them in their journey through life. Typically, every student’s first lesson comes from their childhood learning classroom.
In Singapore, primary childhood education institutions usually include kindergartens and child care centers. The former provides developmental programs for children between the ages of two and seven, while child care centers accept children under the age of 18 months. The main difference between the two organizations is that child care centers are targeted at working parents as they are usually open on weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm. Childcare centers usually provide meals and bedtime for babies. Kindergartens, on the other hand, have less time and prepare children for formal schooling.
In these institutions, an early childhood educator is responsible for creating an environment that is safe, interactive and conducive to learning, where children can develop their social, cognitive and motor skills. More importantly, early childhood educators play an important role in helping children build self-esteem and become lifelong learners – which is why many people consider it a fulfilling career.
If you are considering the position of teaching in early childhood Singapore schools, you must first meet the professional requirements of being a childhood educator. Moreover, possessing certain qualities can help you to be effective in the classroom. To find out if being an early childhood educator is your real challenge, pay close attention to these different features.
You appreciate working with young children
If you enjoy working with young children, this is a sign that being a childhood educator is for you. In fact, it is an important attribute that you need to be successful. Since the role of this education often involves being around very young children, you need to have an innate interest in caring for children, especially those who are seven years of age or younger.
Typically, early childhood educators develop an affection for young children from being around them. For example, they grew up in a large family with younger siblings or younger cousins. They may also have experience working in babysitting or children’s community programs. In some cases, they are proud parents who can be quite happy to guide their children. If any of these experiences seem similar to yours, then a career in early childhood education may be for you.
You are patient and sympathetic
At a young age children are still learning many basic skills such as sharing, understanding instructions and following rules. They also need help with simple tasks like tying shoes and going to the bathroom. So, you can’t expect them to immediately understand what you are saying and take care of themselves.
In this situation, you need to be patient to teach them and help them develop these important life skills. You have to be empathetic to understand that they are young and have limitations. As such, your patience and empathy will be invaluable when you teach your children these essential lessons.
You are creative and enthusiastic
One thing you can expect when you become an early childhood educator is that the whole learning process can be a lot of fun. Since early childhood education uses activity-based learning, every day involves creative and exciting activities and games.
Also, young children usually learn through physical activity. They work and play together to develop socially, emotionally, mentally and physically. To ensure that your young students can reach developmental milestones, you need to constantly come up with different games, projects and challenges. Your students also need a lot of encouragement to participate in the activities, especially the most embarrassing.
You have excellent communication and organization skills
Kids usually need a structured environment to thrive and succeed and it helps if they know what their teachers expect from them. For example, if you have great organizational skills, it will be very easy if you want to build a career as a childhood educator. In this role, you need to effectively plan different activities, as well as effectively communicate instructions while helping children understand the purpose of each activity.
In addition to your future students, you will probably spend a lot of time talking to parents, other educators, and senior executives about your students’ progress and development. So, having great communication skills is an advantage.
You value your influence as a child’s first teacher
As an early childhood educator, you will play a vital role in becoming one of a child’s first teachers. Their experience with you will create their impressions about school and learning, how they will socialize and how confident they will be about themselves. The education that young children receive will have a powerful impact on their educational success and their future careers, including their future careers.
As such, you have a special opportunity and responsibility. You are one of the first people who can help create a wonderful learning experience outside of their home. If this seems like something you want and enjoy, then this career is right for you.
You are passionate about early childhood education
The field of early childhood education is growing, and more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of quality early childhood programs in Singapore and around the world. These programs can affect children’s cognitive development, motor skills, and emotional quotient.
Although this field of education has already come a long way, it will continue to change with the massive development of the needs of children and society. There will be better programs, and teachers will develop improved teaching methods so that more children can benefit from their education. If you are passionate about developing early learning activities and want to take children’s education to a higher level, you will be a valuable resource for the industry.
Being a childhood educator is a fulfilling career because of the powerful impact you can have on the lives of each of your students. As an educator, you have special opportunities and responsibilities to train young students. If becoming an educator in such a setting has crossed your mind, then you should know that having some features like the ones mentioned above can be extremely valuable for being an effective teacher. If most of these qualities seem familiar to you, then these may be the signs you are looking for confirming that your true calling is an early childhood educator.