Early Childhood Teacher

Childcare workers care for children when parents and other family members are unavailable. They care for children’s basic needs, such as bathing and feeding. In addition, some help children prepare for kindergarten or help older children with homework. Duties Childcare workers typically do the following: Supervise and monitor the safety of children in their care Prepare meals and organize mealtimes and snacks for children Help children keep good hygiene Change the diapers of infants and toddlers Organize activities or implement a curriculum that allow children to learn about the world and explore interests Develop schedules and routines to ensure that children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime Watch for signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring the problems to the attention of parents Keep records of children’s progress, routines, and interest Childcare workers introduce babies and toddlers to basic concepts, such as manners, by reading to them and playing with them. For example, they teach young children how to share and take turns by playing games with other children. Childcare workers often help preschool-age children prepare for kindergarten. Young children learn from playing, solving problems, questioning, and experimenting. Childcare workers use play and other instructional techniques to help children’s development. For example, they use storytelling and rhyming games to teach language and vocabulary. They may help improve children’s social skills by having them work together to build something in a sandbox or teach math by having children count when building with blocks. They may involve the children in creative activities, such as art, dance, and music.