Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education refers to the education of a child from birth to nine years of age. A master's in early childhood education will focus on giving students increased knowledge and skills in the design, delivery, and evaluation of educational services.Many master's programs address the unique problems in early education with special emphasis given to effective teaching approaches for children who are at-risk for school failure: children with special needs, children who are English-language learners, and children who have challenging behaviors.
Characteristics of Early Childhood Education
Today, any master's degree in early childhood education will be child-centered. This means there will be an important focus on the importance of play. Play provides children with the opportunity to actively explore, manipulate, and interact with their environment. It encourages children to investigate, create, discover, and motivates them to take risks and add to their understanding of the world.
To most educators, hands-on experience creates authentic experiences in which children begin to feel a sense of mastery over their world. This philosophy is in step with ideals that children should actively participate in their world and various environments, so as to ensure they are not 'passive' learners but 'little scientists' who are actively engaged.
Job Opportunities For Early Childhood Master's
Anyone receiving a master's in early childhood education programs won't be just destined for teaching jobs. A master's education in education opens a lot of doors, including:
• Aide in the public school system
• Author of children's books
• Child care teachers
• Children's art instructor
• Children's librarian
• Director of preschool or Head Start center
• Family child care providers
• Parenting Coach
• Preschool teacher
• Children's Museum
• Elementary School Teacher
• Science Centres/Exploration and Discovery Museums
• Special Needs Educator
• Child care specialist
• Child Life Specialist
• Childhood Education Specialist
• Children's Television Broadcasting
• ESL facilitator
• Toy maker
Recipients of a master's degree in early childhood education are also perfectly suited for social work, guidance counseling, and school administration.
