Early Childhood Development
Major
What is Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood development is a major
taken by students who wish to work with infants and young
children. In order to work with children from birth through
to second grade, a student must receive a degree in early
childhood development and then become licensed in their
state. Licensure in early childhood development allows
the student to work in schools, childcare programs or
institutional settings.
A major in early childhood development
will be able to preliminarily evaluate young children
to determine if they have special needs such as learning,
behavioral, physical or emotional disabilities. Early
identification of these problems is critical to the continued
growth and development of the child.
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What are Some Specializations Within
this Broad Major?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
| Special Education
Service |
|
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What Kinds of Students Major in
Early Childhood Education?
A student who majors in early childhood
development must genuinely enjoy working with small children
and desire to help them in their growth. Verbal and written
communication skills are critical to this major because
the student is not only working with the child but with
their parents or guardians. This student can be characterized
as compassionate, able to motive children and parents
to complete tasks and able to work with all persons concerned
with the child in a caring, yet professional way.
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What Courses Do Early Childhood
Education Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Child
Guidance |
Human
Development |
Speech
and Language Development |
Early
Childhood Education |
Literacy |
General
Psychology |
Educational
Psychology |
Math |
Parenting |
Family
Studies |
Geography |
Writing |
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What Types of Positions do Early
Childhood Education Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Child
Care Worker |
Parent
Education Specialist |
Public
School Teacher |
Curriculum
Specialist |
Parent
Program Coordinator |
Head
Start Program |
Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
| For information on options
available to campuses wishing to see their majors
listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year College Curriculums to
Consider
| Suggest to your two-year
college advisor that their institution's majors
be included to show you their course requirements
and unique resources. Two-year college representatives
should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
