Investigation should yield requirements for entering and progressing in each identified career, including professional licensure, certification, and specific skills needed for success in the field of early childhood education.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- What should the minimal education/training requirement be for an entry-level position in early childhood education?
- What are the advantages of certification in this field?
- What is a CDA (Child Development Associate)?
- How is the credential obtained?
Communication
- How are education/training opportunities discovered?
- What communication skills are necessary for success in the identified careers?
Leadership
- How can training and education help one develop leadership skills in working with young children?
- How does licensing or certification lead to greater opportunities for employment in the early childhood education field?
- What licensing or certificates are available to early childhood education professionals?
Management
- How can education, training, and certification as an early childhood education professional be obtained?
- What challenges might one face in pursuing a career in early childhood education? (e.g., finances, location, family)
- What are some pathways to a teaching license in Virginia?