Early Childhood Education

1 Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Education (ECE) is an important aspect of the United States education system. The relevance of ECE is based on the fact that everything learned by children at this stage of life stays with them throughout their education journey. Therefore, ECE requires skilled professionals who can modify their teaching skills to satisfy the needs of individual children.

Normally, educators have to complete an undergraduate program to acquire licensure and certification. Educators can also acquire an alternative ECE certification from different institutions even if they did not major in education (Illinois State Board of Education, 2020).

Reasons for Enrolling in the Alternative ECE Program One of my reasons for enrolling in an alternative UIC ECE certification program is to get into the education field without repeating the undergraduate coursework. Another reason is to acquire the skills necessary to work with young children. The alternative ECE program requires one to participate in practical exercises by working in a kindergarten or a preschool classroom.

The practical experiences, thus, provide one with an opportunity to develop connections with teaching professionals in different local institutions. The UIC Early Childhood Alternative Licensure Program provides a base on which one can participate in activities intended to serve families and young people in the future.

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2 The Illinois State Board of Education (2020) has made it clear that in this program, a candidate is required to complete a two-year residency to acquire professional educator licensure besides being endorsed to participate in early childhood education.

Experiences working with children I have varied experiences related to teaching young children and working with families in the community. Teaching young children, for instance, presents the teacher with an opportunity to participate in the cognitive, psychological and behavioral development of these children. The teacher acquires decision-making skills that are crucial for intervening when children are involved in disputes. Another experience is that the teacher acquires the skills to interact with young children positively. The vulnerable nature of children requires the teacher to employ interventions that do lead to anxiety and tension among children (Volk, Brooker, Oberhuemer & Parker-Rees, 2020). Therefore, the teacher develops patience and other skills necessary to assess young children and determine their educational needs. Notably, young children present with varied educational needs. The teacher assumes the responsibility of selecting the teaching tactic that meets the needs of individual children.

Professional Experiences and Expectations for the Program Various professional experiences are crucial to succeed in the alternative certification program. For instance, knowledge and critical thinking skills are necessary to analyze issues and develop logical conclusions. Time management and teamwork are beneficial professional experiences that will enhance the achievement of a successful eventuality in this program.

Participation in the alternative certification program will help me acquire the skills necessary to become a successful early childhood educator. The program will also enhance my ability to build families and community relationships. The program provides the tutor with an

3 opportunity to interact with families and community members, subsequently acknowledging the values and complexity of relationships between children, families, and the community. I also believe that the program will improve the skills to observe, document, and support young learners and families.

4 Future Goals My future goal is to establish a private early childhood center within the community.

Therefore, upon completing the UIC ECE alternative program, I will teach children in local kindergartens and other well-established early education institutions in the community. This way, I will acquire the teaching and management skills necessary to venture into private practice.

5 References Illinois State Board of Education (2020). Educator Licensure Alternative Programs. https://www.isbe.net/Pages/ELAlternativeLicense.aspx Volk, D., Brooker, L., Oberhuemer, P., & Parker-Rees, R. (Eds.). (2020). Early Childhood Education in the United States: Contemporary and Critical Perspectives. Routledge.