Why Major in Early Childhood Education?

As an early childhood educator, you’ll be equipped with a specific skill set allowing you to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners through third grade elementary students with a wide range of needs. With a degree in early childhood education, then, you may find yourself in one of a wide range of roles open to people with these skills – even beyond being a typical classroom teacher! For undergraduate students who love working with young children, have a passion for helping kids grow and want to pursue a higher level of study in educational philosophy, the early childhood education program at Concordia University, Nebraska can be an appealing choice.  

The birth to third-grade inclusive education degree at Concordia Nebraska can serve as an independent program or as an endorsement for elementary education majors. Students who choose this program as an elementary endorsement will also be eligible to teach up to the sixth grade. However, many instead prefer a deeper focus on the earliest stages of children’s development that occur before the later elementary years, leading them to choose only the early childhood program. 

Why choose early childhood?  

Teaching or caring for very young children can be challenging yet rewarding. You’ll get to approach learning from a new perspective, making crafts to teach letters or playing games to improve teamwork. You’ll also take on an immense amount of responsibility, which can be stressful. Children will learn some of the most foundational skills of their lives from you and rely on you for safety and comfort.  

Likewise, teaching or caring for young children can also contribute to personal growth. Planning artistic activities may make you more creative; watching over a whole classroom of children will increase your patience. Further, it’s likely that at least some of these young children will grow fond of you, even remembering you far into their futures – after all, having played an integral role in their early education, you’ll make an indelible impact on their lives!  

Early childhood jobs that aren’t classroom teaching 

Of course, you may love the idea of working with young children but aren’t as interested in classroom teaching. Don’t be afraid to choose an early childhood education major in this case! Other jobs for early childhood educators exist that don’t place them in their own classroom, teaching students. Some of these careers include becoming a daycare director, in-home childcare provider, school counselor or administrator.  

For children younger than school age whose parents work in the daytime, many parents choose daycare. Daycare may take place in a carer’s home, a daycare center or even a school setting. Of course, these programs need skilled, knowledgeable staff to encourage the development and success of their young participants – and this is where early childhood educators come in. Trained early childhood educators can be vital to the success of daycare programs, offering their informed input, educating other staff or even opening their own in-home service.  

With a master’s degree in school counseling or educational administration, you can gain further expertise in an education-related field and apply your knowledge of early childhood to providing emotional support for young students or leadership for an elementary school. With these options, it is clear that a solid foundation in educational practice and early childhood development can open doors to many unique careers.  

Furthering your education at Concordia Nebraska 

If early childhood education is your calling, Concordia Nebraska offers many paths for continued study at the graduate level. A M.Ed. in early childhood education, early childhood special education or early childhood education birth-3rd grade inclusive, you can gain further field experience, classroom education and faith-based guidance from experienced educators. In addition, you will become an even more skilled and qualified educator yourself. If early childhood education is your passion and you wish to become a better teacher, earning a master’s degree in the field is a natural follow-up choice to your undergraduate study.  

The education department at Concordia Nebraska offers undergraduate and graduate degrees for students interested in all age levels of instruction. From special education to early childhood education to K-12 music education, Concordia’s offerings for future educators are wide-ranging. Student teaching and field experience opportunities place undergraduates directly in hands-on roles to prepare them for their future vocations. Learn more about Concordia’s education programs here and the early childhood education program here.