Despite what many people think, a kindergarten teacher makes a huge impact on the lives of the children that they teach. These teachers do not only teach children beginning academic skills, but they also teach social skills as well. If you are interested in making this type of impact in a child’s life, there are several things you need to know to help prepare you for this career path.
Enter Into A Teaching/Training Program
The first thing that you will need to do is find an accredited educational program that will give you the skills and training that is necessary to enter into this career. Children in this age group learn the best when they have access to and use interactive tools. When you are teaching a preschool program, you will have the opportunity to teach useful skills such as vocabulary, math and social skills while engaging the children in playtime.
The students can also participate in story time when you transform the students into the characters that are in the story.
Kindergarten teachers can also create games that help children learn how to deal with social skills such as working with others. They will learn how to share and how to handle conflicts. The games they are presented with will help develop problem solving and comprehension skills.
The Required Courses
When you are taking a teaching course to become a kindergarten teacher, there are certain classes that may be a part of the curriculum. These classes include:
• Learning and playing
• Curriculum planning
• Childhood learning
• Theories in Child Development
• Culture and Curriculum
• Foundations of Bilingual Education
The Skills That Are Acquired
Graduates of a kindergarten teaching program will learn certain skills that will allow them to be more effective in the classroom. These graduates will learn how to create an environment in the classroom that is conducive to the students’ learning.
Teachers will also learn how to work with parents to help them improve the areas of learning where their children are struggling.
One of the most important skills that teachers will learn is how to communicate with their students. This skill is imperative because of the amount of time the teacher will be spending with children.
Job opportunities for a kindergarten teacher are expected to increase, especially in the urban areas. However, the need for these instructors is expected to grow in all areas of the country. Having properly trained and skilled instructors will be vital to the success of a child’s future.
Read more about kindergarten and early childhood education:
Changes In Early Childhood Education Programs To Meet Family Needs
Early Childhood Education: A Lifetime of Learning
Current Issues in Primary Education: Redshirting Kindergarten
Surviving the First Year