Early Childhood Education (485)

Graduates of this program should be able to:

• Create an inviting and supportive environment that promotes children's optimal growth and development within the context of a group setting.
• Demonstrate knowledge about the characteristics, identification and needs of exceptional individuals and how to adapt instruction to meet their needs.
• Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum though the utilization of respectful, responsive, teaching strategies.
• Take responsibility for professional behavior and professional involvement with young children and their families.
• Successfully complete onsite observations and practicum experiences with typical, exceptional, and diverse learners to gain experience developing and implementing instructional plans while working effectively with all students and staff.

Preschool teachers use play to teach children about the world.

Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten. They teach language, motor, and social skills to young children.

Preschool teachers typically do the following:

• Teach children basic skills such as identifying colors, shapes, numbers, and letters
• Work with children in groups or one on one, depending on the needs of children and on the subject matter
• Plan and carry out a curriculum that focuses on different areas of child development
• Organize activities so children can learn about the world, explore interests, and develop skills
• Develop schedules and routines to ensure children have enough physical activity and rest
• Watch for signs of emotional or developmental problems in each child and bring them to the attention of the child's parents
• Keep records of the children's progress, routines, and interests, and inform parents about their child's development

• Communication skills. Preschool teachers need good communication skills to tell parents and colleagues about students' progress...
• Creativity. Preschool teachers must plan lessons that engage young students...
• Interpersonal skills...
• Organizational skills...
• Patience...
• Physical stamina.

This program is being offered online through Canvas. Students in the program will meet the course objectives by participating in various learning activities specifically designed for an online environment. These activities include but are not limited to the following: discussion boards, videos, video lectures, chapter writing assignments, work projects, research papers, and group exercises. Online quizzes and exams may be used as appropriate to the course objectives and online supplemental instruction. Course content will be laid out in Canvas using Weekly Modules. Students will have access to faculty through email and phone calls. A minimum of 4 Zoom meetings will be held.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 18 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 59,600 openings for preschool teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Quick Facts: Preschool Teachers

After obtaining their Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth to Age 5), graduates may wish to move forward with a bachelor's degree in an educational field. Ohio's new early elementary degree is PK-5th grade. It would take graduates approximately an additional 3 years to obtain this degree.