My Career Choice in Early Childhood Education Essay Sample

I have always been passionate towards learning and being a part of a child’s development. Understanding how children minds work would allow me to adhere to their needs and provide them the essentials in growing into being the best versions of themselves. My philosophy and believes has always orbited around Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theory of learning in children. “As the child matures, their environment and play should encourage further cognitive and language development.” Furthermore, when a child is in a zone of proximal development for a certain task, providing the appropriate assistance could provide the child with a boost to achieve it later.

While working many part - time jobs, I had always tended to find myself associating with children and it is where I enjoy my work the most. Working as a Taekwondo coach and a Tutor for ages 3 to 16 has developed my confidence, communication skills, sense of leadership and patience towards children and working with various stakeholders- like parents, which are all important in this early childhood sector. These qualities has provided me with a steppingstone when I being posted to my annual Work Attachments, since my 1st year in Polytechnic. 

As I finish up my diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education, I now understand that being an early childhood educator is not just about teaching the child with a pen and a paper. It is about providing an enriching experience where rather that using the knowledge they learn on a workbook, but also towards their environment. There is certainly no one size fits all when it comes to learning. It is up to the Educator on how much effort he or she wants to put in for the child. Childhood is something that everyone can only live through once. Why not make it the best out of it while learning? 

While working alongside many professionals in the early childhood sector, has groomed me holistically with skills and knowledge that I would need when it comes to children. During my time at my work placements, I could put my technical knowledge to use and observe how different schools operate and teach the children. It was insightful to see how different school philosophies would affect the curriculum and the child’s learning overall. As it takes a village to raise a child, I have also witnessed different stakeholders that schools have collaborated with, which also contributed to the development of a child. 

For an example, I was attached to a Nursery class and had a boy who was under the spectrum. It was frustrating seeing no one attending to his needs. Every day, he would come to school miserable, and the teachers would build a barrier using shelves and cupboards just for him and he would only play by himself in that corner. This scene was too heart breaking. I kept asking the class teacher if there was anything I could do but I was told that no one in that school was trained or certified to assist that boy. As a freshmen intern, I tried various ways in trying to communicate and understanding how I could get him to understand the tasks that all the other children were given.

Another interest of mine in working on children with special needs sparked naturally while growing up. Having a brother, who is also diagnosed with a behavioral disorder, provided opportunities for many visits to hospitals and hours with therapist. As I witnessed my brother grow up and how various professionals have contributed, I want to be that change for the next generation. As compared to Singapore, United Kingdom have a much richer historical background when it comes to the early childhood sector. Which is why, I have come to seek further education in the United Kingdom. 

Aside my busy schedule, I am also the president of my school’s Taekwondo club. By taking charge of the entire flow and helping the club to drive towards a common goal, it helped me in bringing out the best form of leadership and communication skills I can have. As a strong believer that life should always have a strong balance of hard work and enjoyment. I started practicing Taekwondo at the age of 4. From taking part in annual competitions, I have received awards and even a place in the national squad. It was an honor to receive the EAGLES and colors award in recognition for my leadership qualities, service to community and schools, excellence in non-academic activities, and good conduct. With a wide variety of hobbies, such as playing the Piano, ball sports and to even martial arts, I have always been one to try new things. 

As a hardworking and patient, yet bubbly individual, I believe that I would make a right fit into the early childhood sector. I am passionate about studying children minds and their behaviors and genuinely would want to make that difference. Someday, I would also want to open my own school where children from all backgrounds can learn and discover their own strengths and uniqueness. I hope to begin my journey at university and to grow as both a student and an educator.