Statement Of Purpose: Pursuing A Career In Early Childhood Education

How much experience do you have in childcare? Speak to the number of years and roles you have fulfilled in the childcare industry. It can helpful to have an anecdote or two ready about times in your career that were particularly touching or enjoyable.

- Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and 5 years of experience in the early childhood program.

The state of the early childhood profession has been discussed on the basis of the following key points in terms of the characteristics, complexities, strengths, challenges and the impact of the policies, trends and movements.

Early childhood is a time of curiosity, a time for play, and a time of rapid development. Every child is unique and deserving of an early childhood education that facilitates academic, social, and developmental growth through a variety of enjoyable experiences. Differentiated instruction adapts content, products and processes to meet the diverse learning needs and preferences of students (Thousand, Villa, & Nevin, 2007). Friedrich Froebel, the creator of Kindergarten, believed that children grow and learn as they play (Bruno, 2009). Play-based instruction not only enables young learners to have fun, but it also encourages interactive and cooperative learning, passion for discovery, and a foundation for later learning experiences

Occupational therapy assistant is my dream career. They help people live a normal life again without any assistance of other people. The help people enhance, improve, develop, and recover the skills use for working or doing daily average tasks. OTA’s usually work under the direction of occupational therapists, and they still get involved with providing therapy for patients. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, occupational therapy assistants help patients do therapeutic activities. For example, they help patients to stretch or do other exercises. OTA’s also help children who have developmental disabilities to play activities that helps stimulate coordination and learn to socialize. They teach disable people to use special equipment,

Occupational Therapist – Works with people with disabilities to achieve as much independence as possible. They assess the need for any equipment e.g. Wheelchairs, and walking aids. The OT at school monitors and assesses the needs of individual pupils. They provide equipment and advise on activities. One pupil was having postural problems and the OT provided a moulded cushion for his use which greatly improved his posture.

     Licensing requirements for preschool teachers vary by state. Some states require a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and others require certification by a nationally recognized authority. The child development associate (CDA) credential which is the most common type of certification. It requires a mix of classroom training and experience working with children. This comes along with an independent of an individual’s competence. The Encyclopedia of careers and vocational guidance 11th edition shares some requirements. “In high school you should take child development, home economics, and other classes that involve you with child care”. It also says “you’ll also need a fundamental understanding of the general subjects you’ll be introducing to preschool students, so take English, science, and math”. Don’t forget art, music, and drama for creative skills.

I believe that as an early childhood educator my goal will be to promote the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child. I also believe that play should be the base of learning since children learn best by doing. I believe that a balance between teacher-directed and child-initiated activities is essential balance can be developed by using the developmentally appropriate practice approach, which means that activities should be “appropriate for each child and relevant to the child’s ability, needs and interests, also including the child’s family and being respectful to the child’s culture.

An Occupational Therapist will come into school and work with children who may have difficulties with gross or fine motor skills. They assess the needs of a child and provide advice for what can be done for the child to help them with any difficulties. For example; they may recommend special equipment/aids for the child.

I chose occupational therapy because it helps people with special needs or rehab stuff to help them get better and get through school or work days. What do occupational therapists do and who do they work with? “Occupational therapy services typically include: an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals, customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan (ACTA).” Occupational therapist often work with younger kids with special needs to help them make it through school but sometimes they work with

When I went to NAEYC conference, Nov 18-Nov 21, Orlando, Florida, I attended 4 session. One of them was “America’s Best and Brightest: New Market Research on Attracting and Retaining Early Childhood Professionals.” Because I lack English listening skills, I couldn’t understand whole contents. However, I came to know about ‘understanding the attitudes and beliefs of current educators about the profession’ and ‘identifying factors that will be most helpful in encouraging educators to make the field a long-term profession.’ I thought that these contents would be useful and helpful for our classmates, as well as me, in understanding “current preschool teacher in the United States.”

Occupational Therapists “ I believe that the therapist’s function should be to help people become free to be aware and to experience their possibilities” (“Rollo May Quotes”). This is a quote by rollo may, and he trying to let people know anybody is capable to experience possibilities or changes in their lives. Occupational Therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintaining the skills patients need for a daily living. Occupational therapists work with directly providing all the therapy they can to the patients. Pursuing a career as an Occupational Therapist’s is a challenging and great career for those who want to work with children to build bonds and enjoy assigned tasks.

Once they figure out what needs the most attention for the individual they go into invention. In invention they will practice things such as sensory processing, play and leisure, and development activities. Some also will help a child to try to participate in interacting and communicating with other children. Occupational therapist also come up with strategies to help the individual. Such as going one from a familiar setting to an unfamiliar. They also collaborate with the families and teachers to make safe methods for social and community activities. Over all they identify, develop and adapt work and other activities that are meaningful to the individual’s

Occupational Therapists within the school system are there to aid the IEP team and student. The goal is to help the student to perform tasks independently. The OT in the school is to help the student to prepare and perform learning and school-related activities (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2010). The OT is to work on goals related to their education. The OT is there to support the students in academic and non-academic roles within the school. These skills would be anywhere from social skills, math, behavior, recess and other aspects to the students school day. The OT helps the student engage in activities, succeed within the school environment with the academic focus, which is to improve the student’s fine motor skills. These skills are to help aid in cutting, writing, reading, and provide educational services and sensory skills. They support ideas within the learning community and classroom and can provide some daily living, such as hand washing and toileting. OT’s are active in the IEP collaboration and will provide help with the student on the

I want to become someone who teaches, an educator, a role model, a teacher. I want to help children in their early childhood education. I want to become a teacher because teachers play a very big role in children’s lives. Not only do they serve as educators, but for many kids, the classroom is where they feel the safest. They feel welcomed and at home. For these certain kids it is their one place of stability where they are always guaranteed to be loved and get fed and to have fun. I enjoy watching kids grow and helping them develop their learning skills. Every kid needs a good education and I want to be the one giving them that good education. I want to make a difference in their lives and prepare them for the road ahead.