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What classes were taken for students that wanted to become teacher for birth-second grade?
What APs, classes, sports, clubs, outside activities?
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Abril !
I am always happy to know that someone has a passion for teaching which you've indicated by saying that you want to teach from birth to second grade. Since you have pinpointed a specific age target for your future career, you will need to explore the education requirements and some options.
To begin with, in order to teach Pre-K to Second Grade, you will need a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and have your New York State teaching credential. You will have to take and pass the New York State Teacher Certification Exam. You will also need to student teach, which is 70 days of student teaching experience in something connected to the education program you are studying in college prior to certification.
I've left a link for you below about how to become an Infant Teacher. In addition to teaching infants and toddlers the social skills and other subjects, consider learning more about Baby Sign Language. It is a skill that parents usually learn because that's how their children can communicate with them before speech development, but you can very well consider learning it so that you can teach babies and parents as well as use it while working with the infants and babies who do not speak yet.
You may also want to explore and decide if you'd want to broaden your career options with homeschooling and teaching in private schools such as a Montessori or Waldorf School. I have left some links for you below.
The best way for you to discover which individual courses are required for a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education would be to choose some colleges and read their course outline for Early Childhood Education Majors. All colleges are different, but most likely, you'd be taking courses in early childhood development, curriculum design, child assessment and evaluation, theory and other courses.
There are four good colleges in your city for early childhood education. These colleges are (CUNY) Hunter College, Touro College, Bank Street College of Education, and (CUNY) Brooklyn College. It would help you greatly to go for an oreintation of all four. That would make your choice easier to make since you will get a first hand view of the campuses.
As for clubs, activities and extracurriculars, that will depend on which college you choose. Each college has extra curriculars, events, clubs and groups that you can explore. Be involved with anything that you love to do and also things connected to education or early childhood. Take each step at a time and everything will become clear once you have chosen a college and learn what their program and campus is like. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best with your plans !
INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A TEACHER IN NEW YORK https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/certification/new-york/become
HOW TO BECOME AN INFANT TEACHER https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-infant-teacher
TEACHING BABY SIGN LANGUAGE https://www.today.com/parents/baby-sign-language-basics-when-start-how-teach-it-t156990
INFANT-TODDLER TEACHING PRACTICES https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/teaching-practices/article/infanttoddler-teaching-practices
ABOUT MONTESSORI AND WALDORF SCHOOLS https://themontessorifamily.com/montessori-vs-waldorf-a-comparison/
I am always happy to know that someone has a passion for teaching which you've indicated by saying that you want to teach from birth to second grade. Since you have pinpointed a specific age target for your future career, you will need to explore the education requirements and some options.
To begin with, in order to teach Pre-K to Second Grade, you will need a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and have your New York State teaching credential. You will have to take and pass the New York State Teacher Certification Exam. You will also need to student teach, which is 70 days of student teaching experience in something connected to the education program you are studying in college prior to certification.
I've left a link for you below about how to become an Infant Teacher. In addition to teaching infants and toddlers the social skills and other subjects, consider learning more about Baby Sign Language. It is a skill that parents usually learn because that's how their children can communicate with them before speech development, but you can very well consider learning it so that you can teach babies and parents as well as use it while working with the infants and babies who do not speak yet.
You may also want to explore and decide if you'd want to broaden your career options with homeschooling and teaching in private schools such as a Montessori or Waldorf School. I have left some links for you below.
The best way for you to discover which individual courses are required for a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education would be to choose some colleges and read their course outline for Early Childhood Education Majors. All colleges are different, but most likely, you'd be taking courses in early childhood development, curriculum design, child assessment and evaluation, theory and other courses.
There are four good colleges in your city for early childhood education. These colleges are (CUNY) Hunter College, Touro College, Bank Street College of Education, and (CUNY) Brooklyn College. It would help you greatly to go for an oreintation of all four. That would make your choice easier to make since you will get a first hand view of the campuses.
As for clubs, activities and extracurriculars, that will depend on which college you choose. Each college has extra curriculars, events, clubs and groups that you can explore. Be involved with anything that you love to do and also things connected to education or early childhood. Take each step at a time and everything will become clear once you have chosen a college and learn what their program and campus is like. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best with your plans !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Genevieve’s Answer
Hello! I taught several years of preschool as well as elementary school. A great way to prepare for a career in early childhood education is to spend time with children in a professional or educational setting. I was able to work and volunteer in preschool classrooms as an aide when I was in high school and college. I also took developmental psychology and child development classes, and some high schools have specialized education programs where you spend time in a classroom as part of your school day.
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
Hello there! The most effective way to enhance your skills is to actively seek out and engage in opportunities that allow you to interact and work with children. During my time in college, I dedicated my summers to working in daycares, babysitting, and providing tutoring services, among other things. This not only gave me invaluable experience, but also exposed me to children of various age groups.
Another great avenue to explore is volunteering at youth camps or participating in youth activities at your local library. If attending a community college is feasible for you, consider enrolling in courses geared towards an elementary education degree. A key component of these courses is student-teaching, which will enable you to apply your practical experience in a formal classroom setting. This hands-on approach will undoubtedly enhance your understanding and proficiency in dealing with children.
Another great avenue to explore is volunteering at youth camps or participating in youth activities at your local library. If attending a community college is feasible for you, consider enrolling in courses geared towards an elementary education degree. A key component of these courses is student-teaching, which will enable you to apply your practical experience in a formal classroom setting. This hands-on approach will undoubtedly enhance your understanding and proficiency in dealing with children.
Updated
Brittany’s Answer
There are likely many opportunities to help you gain experience with this age group, before getting an "official" degree in education. Some things you can start doing now while in high school:
- Volunteering at youth centers
- Babysitting
- Working in the baby or children's room at your church
- Coaching a young child's sports league
- Taking courses such as infant CPR
The world needs those that care for children. I wish you the best in your future and goals!
- Volunteering at youth centers
- Babysitting
- Working in the baby or children's room at your church
- Coaching a young child's sports league
- Taking courses such as infant CPR
The world needs those that care for children. I wish you the best in your future and goals!