This document discusses careers working with young children and the qualifications needed. It notes that there is a greater need for early childhood education due to changing social and economic conditions like non-traditional families and employers supporting childcare. Some careers discussed include nannies, au pairs, teachers, directors, and licensing specialists. Education requirements vary but can include a Child Development Associate credential or associate's degree. Desirable teacher characteristics include fondness for children, patience, compassion, and commitment.

1. Writing Prompt…
• What are some social and economical
reasons why there is a greater need
for early childhood education? (3)
• What characteristics do you have
that are good to have when working
with young children? (5)

2. Human Development II
Learning Objective: Students will compare
and contrast various childhood careers and
consider the characteristics needed to
care for and teach children.
Chapter 1
You: Working with Young Children
FCS Standards: Child Development 1

3. Early Childhood Careers:
Are they for you??
• What is early childhood?
– The period of time from birth to age 9
– Involves many rapid changes
• Is a career in early childhood for you?
– Consider-
• changes in social/economic conditions creating
the need for early childhood
• if you have the characteristics needed to work
in the field

4. Social and Economic
Changes
• Families
– Families are no longer “traditional”
• Employers’ Attitudes
– Corporations are supporting child care moregood for them and employees
• Education
– There is a greater need for quality early
childhood education. Is this happening in our
area?

5. Career Opportunities in
Early Childhood
• Nannies and Au Pairs
– Nanny-provides care in a child’s home.
– Au Pair-person from a foreign country who
lives with a family and performs tasks
similar to a nanny. In exchange for room,
board, and transportation, they provide
child care and may do housework.

6. Career Opportunities
Cont.
• Teacher
• Early Childhood Assistant and
Associate Teachers
– May be required by state for ratios
– May not require a degree, but might
have a CDA credential or associate
degree. Many students work in this
capacity.

7. More Career
Opportunities
• Child Care Teachers and Directors
– Teacher takes care of the curriculum, director
supervises, markets, hires, etc.
• Family Child Care Home
– Done from the home. Why might this be a good
opportunity for a young mother?
• Licensing Specialist
– Works for state, visits centers to assure
children are being cared for in a healthy and
safe environment.

8. Even More Opportunities
•
•
•
•
Parent Educator
Recreation Professionals
Social Worker, Therapist
Entrepreneur-person who creates
and runs their own business

9. Education and Training
Needed
• Child Development Associate
Credential
– Nationally Recognized
– Requires post-secondary courses in child
care
– Must be 18 and have a high school
diploma
– Must also have a minimum number of
hours of child care experience

10. Other Education
Possibilities
• May need a 2-year associates degree
– If teacher has a 2-year or bachelor’s
degree in early childhood ed., CDA
credential may not be required.
• Some positions may require a
graduate degree
• Requirements differ from state to
state.

11. The Teacher’s Responsibilities
• The responsibilities are varied. They are
challenging and rewarding.
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Know how children grow and develop
Plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum
Prepare the environment
Communication skills
Teamwork
Manage time
Participate in Professional Organizations
Follow ethical standards
• Ethics-guiding set of moral principles
– Continue to learn

12. Characteristics of
Successful Teachers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fondness for children
Patience
Compassion
Confidence
Sense of Humor
Commitment
Personal Desire-Passionate
Physical and Mental Health

13. Reflect…
• Write a paragraph describing which
career in early childhood education
you are interested in? Which of your
personal characteristics would help
you be successful in this career?