July 18th, 2022
8 Qualities of Great Early Childhood Educators
Who was the best teacher you ever had? What made them so great? If you want to become an early childhood educator, you need to embody the qualities you probably saw in that favorite teacher—and more. Early childhood educators need patience, energy, and passion for the students and the work. The first eight years of a child’s life and learning can be critical to their future success in the classroom and beyond. That’s a lot of responsibility you have! Are you up for the challenge? Here are the qualities you’ll need:
Patience
Children are full of wonder, excitement, and awe. But that also makes them curious, restless, and impulsive. And while it can be rewarding to harness and redirect all that energy, it requires a lot of patience. Because each child in your class will grow and develop at a different pace, you will see a variety of behavioral issues and learning abilities. From the kid flying through lessons and using their free time to distract others to the one feeling anxious and frustrated—and letting you know—your young charges will run the spectrum of classroom behavior. Your job is to be the calm in the storm, consistent, temperate, and pleasant.
Passion
Is teaching your calling? The profession can be challenging at times, but also very rewarding. You should be passionate about working with children and about helping them develop as people. And you need to embrace teaching as a worthwhile career that impacts all the others. After all, those little minds will blossom and grow under your tender care. The reverberations can reach any career and provide bright futures for your students and others.
Energetic
Those little bundles of energy need someone who can keep up. Throughout your day, you’ll be pulled in different directions. You need energy and stamina and a willingness to take on any challenge with a positive, can-do attitude. Your enthusiasm shouldn’t just match your students’; it should set an example and move the class through the day.
Communication
You may be a great communicator with adults, but how well do you interact with children? The students in your class are still learning to communicate, so you need to set the example of how it should be done. Use age-appropriate language, but don’t talk down to your students. Listen to what they have to say and watch their body language. Their actions may speak louder than their words. Always point out your students’ achievements, but don’t be afraid to address inappropriate behavior. You will also need to communicate with parents—through notes and emails, on telephone calls, and in person. Be professional and positive, letting them know about their child’s progress, but also any issues you encounter.
Organization
To keep a classroom full of children on track, you need to be well-organized. Most children thrive in a structured environment, so when you organize your class procedures and schedule, create routines that everyone understands. And from classroom instruction and projects to lesson plans and grading, you need a consistent system that works. You also need to live the mantra: there’s a place for everything and everything has its place.
Flexibility
Just because you’re well-organized doesn’t mean you can’t be flexible. Your well-made plans may need to pivot when your students are amped up before holidays and school vacations A child’s temper tantrum can disrupt the entire class or you can use tools and tricks to distract and deescalate. Children can be unpredictable, and you need to be open to and prepared for any issue that comes up in the day. Even if your schedule doesn’t always go according to plan, you can develop mini emergency plans, so you have a proper response when the occasional curveball is thrown your way.
Creativity
Learning can be fun, especially if you add your creative flair and make it fun! Find projects that will spark student interest, get them thinking, and make them want to learn. This may include crafts, learning games, storytelling, art projects, or music. The more creative you are with your lessons, the more you can engage your students.
Compassion
You never know what problems your students may face at home. Treating your class with kindness and compassion can go a long way. Children need nurturing and they need to feel like your classroom is a safe place for them. They’re also at a stage where they are developing emotionally and socially, and you can teach them how to be kind and compassionate toward others through your own actions.
If you already embody these qualities, you may have what it takes to be a great early childhood educator. At Limestone University, we offer a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education that can prepare you for a rewarding career in teaching. Click the button to learn more.
