5 Careers For Child Development Degree Program Graduates

Child Development Careers

• Child Life Specialist
• Parent Educator
• Childcare Center Director
• Child Welfare Worker
• Preschool Teacher

A degree program in child development provides majors with the skills necessary to pursue a wide range of careers. Individuals who graduate with this degree are highly sought after and can work for different private and governmental organizations. Here is a list of the top five child development careers.

Child Life Specialist

A child life specialist works with children in a medical setting to help them cope with illnesses. He applies the knowledge of child development, psychology and counseling to explain the medical jargon to children and prepare them for procedures. His main aim is to reduce the anxiety and stress children usually experience when they are sick and about to undertake certain medical procedures. A majority of child life specialists work in hospitals. Some work in schools or as self-employed consultants. Child specialists should have a sound knowledge in behavior development and be able to organize and play with children. They must also be personable, flexible and communicate effectively.

Parent Educator

A parent educator works with parents to help them develop the skills necessary to raise physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy children. He also schedules and conducts regular home visitations to participating parents to monitor the progress of their children. Parent educators may work in public schools, childcare programs, community development organizations and private schools. Some practice as independent consultants. A parent educator should posses vast knowledge in child development, parenting techniques, counseling and culture to perform effectively. The growing recognition of parenting education benefits all over the country is likely to increase the demand for parent educators significantly.

Childcare Center Director

A childcare center director is responsible for the daily operations of a daycare or preschool. He personally trains and supervises the people responsible for teaching and monitoring the children at the center. He sets the objectives and standards and works to maintain good relationships with parents. A childcare center director also develops the curriculum to be followed and prepares the overall budget of the facility. Most childcare center directors work in private-owned facilities. Others work in schools and public childcare institutions. One requires great coordination, leadership, time-management and communication skills to function effectively as a director of a childcare center.

Child Welfare Worker

A child welfare worker ensures that the rights and overall well-being of children and their families are respected. His duties include coordinating protective programs involving neglected, abused and disadvantaged children, monitoring ongoing cases related to children and liaising with other agencies to support children and their families. A child welfare specialist may work with the state government, foster homes or community development organizations. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for child welfare workers to increase by 12 percent in the next 10 years.

Preschool Teacher

A preschool teacher works with children to help them learn and grow. He mainly handles children aged between three and five years and teaches them things related to intellectual, social and physical growth. A preschool teacher also grades students, monitors behavior and develops programs designed to improve the curriculum. This requires him to understand how children develop in order to plan the curriculum appropriately and establish a creative learning environment for them. Preschool teachers need good communication and listening skills to keep the young ones engaged in class. They should also exhibit patience and a well-developed imagination, flexibility and creativity.

Child Development Careers: A Meaningful Career Choice

Every parent wants their children to develop in a mentally and physically healthy manner. They are willing to do anything possible to ensure their children acquire these traits when growing. This is good news for those who major in child development, as it means high employment rates and good salaries. Fulfilling and vital jobs exist for candidates seeking child development careers.

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