A Day in the Life of an Early Education Teacher

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(Newswire.net — December 4, 2019) — Being an early education teacher can be a stressful profession. With the inconsistent emotional state of the children, their inability to control their bodily fluids, and their inability to turn off playtime and turn on learning time, their may be times that will make you question whether or not this career is right for you. As chaotic as an early education teacher’s day may be, it is a very meaningful and in demand profession. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for good teachers will grow 7 percent between the years of 2018 and 2028.

If you are wondering whether or not to take the plunge and become qualified in early childhood education, here is what you can expect in an average day during your work week.

Drop-offs

This part of the day may be the most difficult. Children, especially those who have never stayed with anyone other than a family member, may find it especially traumatic to be dropped off. You can expect tears, yelling, clinging to the parent’s leg, or a combination of all three. This is where the art of distraction will come into play. Games, toys, and art projects are a great way to ease their little minds. Once this is done, it is time to turn your focus to the parents. It is up to the teacher to provide support for them because their may be a sense of guilt they are feeling as they leave their child with a stranger. This support may involve reassuring this person that they are making the right choice in letting their child attend school.

Daily Tasks to Expect

While each day will be filled with different activities, they will all build up the same skills for your tiny students. These skills include:

  • Language: Even during playtime, the child’s language skills are being tested. Role-playing activities, singing, discussions, and sharing time are all things that will build those important language skills.
  • Motor and Social: Having the opportunity to talk and play with other children can do wonders for their development.
  • Struggling milestones: Through assessments and observations you will be able to recognize milestones that some children are struggling with. Knowing their struggles will allow you to give him or her the extra help needed in order to be successful for the rest of the school year, as well as the next year.

In order to help the children with these tasks, planning is a crucial component of your day. A variety of indoor and outdoor activities will need to be planned in order to help these students become successful.

The End of the Day

By the end of the day, you may be exhausted, but you may also have a sense of accomplishment. Being an early education teacher is a demanding job, but can be extremely rewarding. Having the right education support will also help you find the right career path that will allow you to utilize your strengths and make a difference in the lives of your future students.