The role of an early childhood professional is one that has been over looked for too long. Some may even believe that all we are just babysitters but I challenge you for a moment to think about all the people who have helped you through your childhood both good and bad and how those experiences has influenced your adult life. The truth is that all the people we encounter when we were younger are critical to our development. This is why I am so passionate about my career as an early childhood educator and leader of change. It is my job to ensure the all the children receive the best educational experiences to foster a positive outcome for their future because they are the future of our society.
Let me share some quick facts, with you, about the benefits early childhood professionals have on the development of young children, their families, and the communities in which they serve. Did you know that there is research to support that enriched early childhood experiences can increase student achievement, graduations rates, employment opportunities, and overall income; while reducing special needs programming, delinquent behaviors, crimes, and dependence on welfare (Barnett, 2008)? Not to mention the impact we have on a child’s cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development providing them opportunities to grow these areas of development through exploring the world around them (Barnett, 1995). All while helping young children to develop positive self-concepts and an unique identity they will be proud to claim as their own (Barnett, 1995). Or how about the fact that we help parents care for, educate, and socialize their children into our society. For this reason and more, I am so passionate about what I do and this why I have dedicated today to spending time with others who share in the love of advocating for young children and their families. So to answer your question, No we are not babysitter but early childhood professional changing the lives of young children everyday!
Reference
Barnett, W. S.. (1995). Long-Term Effects of Early Childhood Programs on Cognitive and School Outcomes. The Future of Children, 5(3), 25–50. http://doi.org/10.2307/1602366
Barnett, W. S. (2008). Preschool education and its lasting effects: Research and policy implications. Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center & Education Policy Research Unit. Retrieved [date] from http://epicpolicy.org/publication/preschool- education
