Lesson 1: Careers in ECE

What careers exist in early childhood education, and what skills, qualities, and responsibilities are needed to succeed in each role?

Which jobs help support young children’s learning and development, and what does it take to do these jobs well?

Preschool teachers and teacher assistants

Occupational therapists (OT)

Physical therapists (PT)

Speech-language pathologists (SLP)

Child psychologists

Social workers

Early intervention specialists

Family support specialists

I. Career Paths: Analyze career paths within early childhood education, childcare services, and related fields.

Roles and Responsibilities – What each career entails, including daily tasks, interactions with children, and collaboration with families and other professionals

Flexible grouping


Choice boards


Tiered assignments


Graphic organizers


Think-Pair-Share


Hands-on activities


Student choice in products

Students will create a presentation on a specific career in early childhood education, detailing its daily tasks, required skills, and how it supports children's learning and development.

• Instruct students to individually select a career in early childhood education and create a detailed presentation.
• Presentations should include information about daily tasks, required skills, and the role's impact on children's learning and development.

• Present key points using a slideshow, incorporating visuals and real-world examples to illustrate each career.
• Facilitate a class discussion about the skills and responsibilities associated with each role.
• Address a common misconception: Clarify that working in early childhood education requires specialized training and ongoing professional development.