Numerous influences shape a child’s early learning journey, including parents, caregivers, family members, friends, peers, and Teachers. Did you know that outside of the family, educators are the second most influential factor in a child’s learning outcomes and overall wellbeing? The impact of early childhood education extends far beyond just reading and writing skills.
During the first five years of life, crucial building blocks for emotional, social, and cognitive skills are established, making the role of educators during this period incredibly important. So, what does an Early Childhood Educator or an Early Childhood Teacher do? They provide essential guidance and support, laying the foundation for a child’s future and positively contributing to their community.
Recognising the significance of early childhood education, even the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlights the value of early literacy and learning. According to UNESCO, “Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) aims to develop a child’s emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs to build a strong foundation for well-being and learning throughout their life. Through ECCE, we can nurture capable, caring, and responsible citizens in society.”
“The purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts… it is to teach them to think.“
Robert M. Hutchins
So, why are Early Childhood Educators so significant? What valuable lessons do they teach and support that create such a lasting impact on our children’s lives? It’s all about fostering a nurturing environment where every child can thrive during their early years and beyond.
Childcare Educator roles and responsibilities encompass a wide range of vital functions that contribute to a child’s development. These early childhood education professionals not only facilitate safe and nurturing environments where children can explore and learn, but they also design engaging activities that promote social interaction, cognitive skills, and emotional resilience.
Additionally, the Early Childhood Educator is responsible for observing and assessing each child’s individual needs, tailoring their approach to support diverse learning styles. Communication with families and caregivers is equally crucial, as it helps to build partnerships that enhance a child’s educational experience. By fulfilling these roles and responsibilities, the Early Childhood Educator plays an instrumental part in fostering a love for learning and building a solid foundation for each child’s future success.
Let’s take a look at just a handful of reasons why an Early Childhood Educator is such significant role models for our children.
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Early Childhood Educators encourage your child to develop confidence, resilience and self-esteem
Children are strong, unique and resilient individuals, capable of complex thinking and their own perspectives. Great Teachers and Educators know this and will reinforce this through every learning opportunity. This shows children that they are capable individuals in their own right, with unique personalities, skills and the ability to contribute. As a consequence, a child’s confidence, resilience and self-esteem grows.
This means early childhood education equips children with:
- the skills to make friends
- the confidence to try new things and follow their interests
- resilience to keep trying
- a willingness to respect others
- the ability to operate in an increasingly independent manner.
These are all skills children learn that will see them enter the real world equipped to deal with the success and failure that comes their way.
Educators teach your child in a holistic way
Learning goes beyond academics. Great Early Childhood Educators know how to inspire children and ignite their curiosity about the world around them. The Early Childhood Educator role focuses on developing the skills children need for success both inside and outside the classroom in a rapidly changing world. Through real-world scenarios, educators can support, encourage, and enable children to want to learn by:
- Sparking a child’s natural curiosity
- Inspiring them to ask questions
- Building their confidence
- Showing them that knowledge can be gained in all sorts of amazing ways.
By nurturing every part of a child, a great Early Childhood Educator helps to build a strong foundation for emotional, mental, and physical development, which are the building blocks for life.
Educators role model social interaction for your child
Relationships are a key factor in driving positive learning outcomes for children. It’s important for a child to form relationships and socialise with people other than their parents and close family members. When children develop friendships they learn valuable lessons about trust, teamwork, collaboration and compromise.
These are all important skills that help them throughout their lives, and skills that they learn from both friendships with their peers and by observing influential role models in their lives, such as their Educators or Early Childhood Teacher.
Educators support children to cooperate and work as part of a team
Childcare settings with a focus on high-quality early childhood education provide your child with the opportunity to learn about and practice cooperation, sharing with others, and waiting their turn. In an environment with other children – and being gently guided by their educators about appropriate behaviour in different situations – your child will soon pick up these important life skills.
Learning to operate as part of a team and to be responsible for your individual actions are skills that are learnt from a very young age. A great Early Childhood Educator knows how to guide children on this path to teamwork and collaboration. These skills prepare children to be valuable members of society, contributing positively to their communities and working effectively with others in a team setting.
Early Childhood Educators inspire your child to develop a lifetime love of learning
Learning through play is a practice employed by Early Childhood Educators to naturally engage children in learning opportunities. In its simplest form, learning through play encourages children to build their knowledge, develop confidence and embrace curiosity. Along the way they naturally refine practical life, social and motor skills as they explore, experiment, discover and solve problems.
Here at Guardian, children are guided by their natural interests and curiosities, while being supported to make meaningful connections to the real-world. Our Educators create learning and education programs that prepare your child for formal schooling and beyond – because we believe that learning is a journey that never ends.
What makes Early Childhood Teachers special?
Early Childhood Teachers play a vital role in shaping the lives of young children through their dedicated support and expert knowledge. They possess specialised education, often attaining qualifications in early childhood education through tertiary study, which equips them with a deep understanding of child development and effective teaching strategies.
This foundation enables them to create engaging learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of each child. So, what do Early Childhood Teachers do? They not only nurture children’s academic skills but also foster emotional intelligence, social skills, and creativity, supporting children to cultivate a genuine love for learning. Their commitment to assist children during these formative early years makes them invaluable figures in both the lives of children and the broader community.
Like their peers in schools, an Early Childhood Teacher holds university qualifications. Their education includes a thorough study of teaching practices similar to those of school teachers, with a focus on early childhood development and methods that support foundational learning in a child’s formative years. This helps children develop skills for lifelong learning.
As certified educators, each Early Childhood Teacher meets the same professional standards as school-based teachers. The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers outline the qualities, practices, and behaviours needed to be an effective contemporary educator in Australia. By adhering to these standards, our Teachers demonstrate their professional capability and commitment to their role.
Read more about what makes Guardian educators so special…
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
