Early childhood educators

Definition

Early childhood educators promote the social, physical, and intellectual development of children below primary school age through the provision of educational and play activities. Tasks include - (a) planning and organizing individual and group activities designed to facilitate the development of children’s motor, cooperative and social skills, confidence and understanding; (b) promoting language development through storytelling, role play, songs, rhymes and informal conversations and discussions; (c) leading children in activities that provide opportunities for creative expression through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical fitness; (d) observing children in order to evaluate progress and to detect signs of developmental, emotional or health-related problems; (e) observing and assessing nutritional health, welfare and safety needs of students and identifying factors which may impede students’ progress; (f) supervising children’s activities to ensure safety and resolve conflicts; (g) guiding and assisting children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits; (h) discussing progress or problems of children with parents and other staff members and identifying appropriate actions and referrals to other services; (i) establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with other service providers working with young children. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Early childhood educator - Pre-school teacher Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Child care centre manager - 1341 - Child care worker - 5311