The first several years of a baby is an extremely crucial time in their lives as it’s when they first learn how to interact with others, including peers, teachers, and parents, it’s also the time where their interest will start to develop and stay with them throughout their lives.
It’s a common misperception that early childhood education is only about learning essential skills. But it is much more than that, it’s a time when children learn crucial social and emotional skills and a partnership is formed between the child, parents and teachers. When this is done successfully, it lays the groundwork for continuing growth throughout the child’s education.
What is Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood, defined as the period from birth to eight years old, is a time of remarkable growth, especially with brain development at its peak. During this stage, children are highly influenced by the environment and the people that surround them.
Early childhood education (ECE) is more than just preparation for primary school. Still, it aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs to build a stable and broad foundation of lifelong learning.
What are the Skills Needed in Early Childhood Education?
Creativity: Children are sponges at this early age, but they are also new to learning. Early childhood educators must be able to communicate with young learners on their level, including being able to break complex subjects into easily digestible pieces. They must be able offer details about classroom progress to parents so they are aware of their child’s performance and achievement level. Communication helps parents identify teachable moments in everyday situations and boost their child’s kindergarten readiness.
Communication Skills: Communication is vital as an early childhood educator. Not only on the basis of communicating the progress of children to their parents but they should also be able to understand and communicate with the children on their level
Organizational Skills: While it might look easy taking care of a bunch of kids, managing a classroom of young kids on sugar rush requires more organizational skills than you require. You’ll need to show up with your lessons planned with your props and always be on the lookout for the kids to in case something happens.
Patience: Children are the epitome of the energizer bunny, they’re full of energy and never seem to run out of it. They could be running even when the class is being conducted therefore being an early childhood educator requires a lot of patience.
Why Should You Study Early Childhood Education?
Being around young kids is definitely challenging, as they are not easy to manage. In Early Childhood Education, one has to have the patience as big as a mountain and the dedication and passion of teaching and moulding young minds of the future.
You have a strong bond among children: If you’re someone who does not get tired of seeing children and you absolutely love to be around them every day even when they drive you up to the wall, then early childhood education might be the right path for you.
You want to be shaping young minds: Early childhood educators have a genuine opportunity to make a difference in young lives and influence the younger generation. They get to ensure that children get off a good start in their lives.
You enjoy excellent job security: It’s a great time to consider a career in an early childhood education as it has strong growth and is one of the most in-demand professions among the others.
Career opportunities are endless: There are various professional roles in the industry, so there’s always room for you to grow and challenge yourself in the industry.
What are the Major-Subjects Taught in Early Childhood Education?
Child Development: Refers to the studies of the mental, physical, emotional, social and intellectual development a child goes through from birth till adulthood. Students will learn about effective parenting, teaching and nurturing of children.
Learning and Play: Play-based learning helps a child develop holistically through social-emotional learning, developing confidence and motivation and practising cognitive skills.
Children safety & Nutritional Skills: Early childhood is when children develop lifestyle habits that can lead to good health. Students would learn the importance of healthy eating and strategies to incorporate acceptable health practices into classroom activities.
Language & Literacy: Covers literacy theories as well as strategies for encouraging literacy in young children. Students may also become skilled at identifying problems among children who have difficulty reading comprehension.
Develop Age-Appropriate Curriculum: Learn how to develop lesson plans, activities, and learning objectives relevant to young children. They know methods used by children to organize, retain and recall information.
How Do I Become a Qualified EarlyChildhood Educator?
A degree in Early Childhood Education typically takes 3 years after completing Pre-University (e.g: A- Level, SACE, etc) or Foundation. However, students can choose to go into a Diploma program, which takes about 2 to 2.5 years to complete. Upon completing you can either choose to work or continue with a degree program in Early Childhood Education with a direct entry into Year 2.
General Entry Requirements for Early Childhood Education
Academic Requirement
|
SPM/ IGCSE |
3 Credits for Diploma 5 Credits for Foundation or other pre-university programs |
|
STPM |
Minimum CGPA of 2.0 |
|
A-Levels |
Minimum of 2 Pass |
|
Diploma |
CGPA 2.0 |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Top Universities to Study Early Childhood Education in Malaysia
1. Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)
Picture Credits: www.mckl.edu.my/gallery/14/Facilities/
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
Duration | 2.5 Years |
Intakes | January, May & August |
Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 26, 980 |
2. University of Wollongong, KDU
Picture Credits: https://thepienews.com/news/malaysia-wollongong-uni-acquires-kdu/
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
Duration | 2.5 Years |
Intakes | January, June & Sept |
Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 25, 640 |
3. SEGi University
Picture Credits: www.segi.edu.my/visit-segi/
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education | Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood (Dual Award) |
Duration | 2 ½ Years | 3 Years |
Intakes | Jan, Mar, May, Jun, Sept | Jan, Apr, June, Aug, Sept, Oct |
Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 38, 300 | RM 63, 755 |
The Bachelor of Education (Dual Award) provides students with two degrees at the end of their studies one from SEGi University and the other from University of Central Lancaster (UCLAN), UK. Throughout the course, students will be able to choose among Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education, TESL, and Guidance & Counselling as majors for their specialization.
4. Help University
Picture Credits: www.is.vnu.edu.vn/en/help-university
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education | Bachelor in Early Childhood Education |
Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
Intakes | January, May & August | January, May & August |
Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 19, 200 | RM 59, 900 |
5. UCSI College
Image Credit: www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
Duration | 2 ½ Years |
Intakes | January, May & Sept |
Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 21, 382 |
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About the Author
Rebecca Visvanathan
Caffeine addict that’s constantly on the run!