Top 7 Myths About Early Childhood Education, Training, and Careers

Updated December 2023

Every occupation and industry has its myths and misconceptions. Unless you actually work in the field, it's easy to develop some false ideas about what it's all about, right?

Early childhood education (ECE) is no exception.

In fact, this field is surrounded by so many myths, we decided to round them up and debunk them, once and for all.

This post is dedicated to all the talented early childhood educators out there—and anyone who's passionate about pursuing this career.

So here they are: the top seven myths about early childhood education, training, and careers....busted!

ECE Myth #1: Kids in Preschool & Daycare don't really learn anything

Actually, humans do most of their learning and development between birth and age five. On every level—physical, cognitive, emotional, social—this is the period when kids are hitting key milestones and rapidly progressing.

Early childhood educators play a key part in that learning process. Through play, educational activities, and role modelling, ECEs make a huge difference in their little students' lives.

Every single day at preschool and daycare, children soak up new information, learn new skills, and build new relationships. These experiences have a tremendous impact on how they feel about school, teachers, themselves, and life in general.

ECE Myth #2: Early childhood educators are just glorified babysitters

Ah, yes. This is an especially annoying myth that has persisted for far too long. Any professional ECE who has supervised a group of babies and toddlers, taught them key skills, and helped them adjust to classroom learning knows how ridiculous this myth truly is.

Babysitters look after children. Early childhood educators teach children. In fact, they teach them an astonishingly wide range of skills, including:

• Basic reading and writing

• Language and communication

• Gross and fine motor skills

• Social skills (how to make friends, share, work with a team)

• Basic numeracy

• Basic scientific concepts

• Independent problem solving

• Self-respect and respect for others

• Following instructions

• Responsibility

• Managing emotions

Early childhood educators prepare students for school and for life. This includes everything from academic skills to social and emotional development. It's an incredibly important job.

ECE Myth #3: There are few jobs in this field

Speaking of jobs...there's a very common misconception that ECEs have few job opportunities. Well, we can quickly debunk that myth, right here and now.

Data from the Labour Market Information Council shows that there were more than 3,000 online job postings for early childhood educators in Quebec in 2023.

And according to the Government of Canada Job Bank, ECEs will have good job prospects throughout most of Quebec through 2025.

ECE Myth #4: Working as an ECE is boring

What could possibly be boring about a room full of rambunctious toddlers? If anything, there's probably too much going on!

Early childhood educators have one of the most fascinating jobs in the world. They get to watch babies and toddlers grow and evolve, right before their eyes.

Humans change so much in those early years, and ECEs get a front row seat—and play a major role—in encouraging that development.

Imagine, helping a child spell their name for the very first time. Or watching toddlers learn how to make friends, share, solve problems, and work in teams.

Every single day is different in this career. ECEs are always learning and growing, and helping their tiny students do the same.

ECE Myth #5: Early childhood education training is really easy

Nope. Ask anyone who's completed a quality early childhood education program, and they'll set you straight. The courses are challenging, and the internships put you face-to-face with real kids at a daycare or preschool.

If you want to earn a diploma in early childhood education, you'll need to pass courses in:

• Child development and psychology

• Child health and safety, including identifying signs of abuse or neglect

• Communicating with children, parents, supervisors, and community members

• Designing effective educational activities for babies, toddlers, and young children

• Teaching children from diverse backgrounds, and those with special learning needs

• Managing behaviour

• Understanding early childhood education theories

• Child observation and documentation methods

Plus, you'll do two internships during your training—one in the middle, and one at the end. You'll be expected to apply what you've learned in a real preschool or daycare classroom. It's exciting...and challenging!

ECEs have to think on their feet, be creative, know how to handle a group of kids, and design activities that will encouraging learning at every stage of child development.

It takes hard work and real skill to succeed in training and build a successful career in this field.

ECE Myth #6: You don't need special skills to become an ECE

We just touched on this myth in the previous point. Yes, ECEs need practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and intensive training to do this job well.

They need to understand theories of human development and education. They need to build trusting relationships with children and resolve conflicts in the classroom.

Early childhood educators need a very large toolkit of activities, games, and teaching techniques—and they have to be ready to adapt them to children with different needs.

And on top of all this, they need to communicate well with anxious parents and take charge of the health and safety of every single child in their care. It's a big responsibility, requiring a broad set of very special skills.

ECE Myth #7: There are no career advancement opportunities

Wrong again. Early childhood educators can become entrepreneurs and open their own daycare businesses.

They can also become instructors and teach early childhood education training at a local college. ECEs can specialize in working with kids who have learning challenges. They can assist teachers in kindergartens and elementary schools.

Or you can go on to university, earn a Bachelor of Education, and become a licensed teacher.

No matter which path you choose, one thing is for sure: this career demands lifelong learning. You will continue to challenge yourself and develop new skills as the years go by.

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