When planning a career in education, many prospective teachers consider pursuing either early childhood education or elementary education. Educators in both areas play crucial roles in the development and education of young children, yet they differ significantly in focus, required skills, educational pathways, and career outlooks.
Comparing these two specializations, early childhood education versus elementary education, reveals distinct responsibilities, competencies, and opportunities for each role. Understanding these variations and the education requirements for each role can help aspiring teachers prepare to support the next generation effectively.
Early Childhood Education vs. Elementary Education: Career Descriptions
Here we will take a look at the key differences in the job responsibilities and work environments of teachers who specialize in early childhood education and elementary education.
Early Childhood Educators
Early childhood educators work with young children, ranging from infants to those who are around 8 years old, typically in preschool and early elementary settings. Educators in both areas play crucial roles in the development and education of young children, yet they differ significantly in focus, required skills, educational pathways, and career outlooks.
Early childhood educators work in a variety of settings, including public and private preschools, child care centers, Head Start programs, and elementary schools. The role often involves creating a safe and nurturing environment for young children, assessing their developmental progress, and collaborating with their parents and other educators to support each child’s growth.
Elementary Education
Elementary educators teach children in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade. Elementary school teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experiences of the children in their classroom, who are typically between the ages of 5 and 11. Their work encompasses a range of responsibilities that extend beyond classroom instruction, such as school administrative duties and extracurricular involvement.
These teachers are responsible for developing children’s foundational skills in various subjects, including math, reading, science, and social studies, while also supporting their social and emotional development.
Elementary school teachers primarily work in public or private elementary schools. Public schools are funded by the government and are free for students to attend, while private schools are funded through tuition paid by families and sometimes other private sources. Some elementary teachers may also work in charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate independently of the public school system.
Early Childhood Education vs. Elementary Education: Skill Requirements
While there is some overlap in the skills required for early childhood educators and elementary educators, certain abilities stand out as especially important in each role. Here are some highlights:
Key Skills of Early Childhood Educators
- Patience and Nurturing. Early childhood educators should be able to create a safe, comforting learning environment and take a gentle, patient approach that accommodates the developmental pace of young children.
- Creativity. Early childhood educators must be able to develop imaginative and engaging teaching methods to capture the interest of young learners. Much of their day-to-day work involves planning and doing creative activities that promote learning through play.
- Strong Communication Across Generations. Being able to clearly and effectively interact with young children to facilitate understanding and learning is a must, but so is the capability to regularly and openly communicate with the children’s parents to provide them with updates on their child’s progress and to address any concerns.
- Knowledge of Child Development. Early childhood educators must have comprehensive knowledge of developmental milestones to plan age-appropriate activities for the children in their classroom. They also must have the ability to recognize and respond to the individual needs of each child.
- Ethical decision-making is the process of striving to resolve issues using moral principles as a guide. This involves evaluating the options, considering the moral ramifications of each, and making choices based on one’s values and standards.
Key Skills of Elementary Educators
- Classroom Management. Elementary educators need strong organizational skills to maintain an orderly classroom environment. They also must have effective disciplinary strategies to address behavioral issues and promote positive behavior.
- Subject Matter Expertise. Educators teaching in elementary schools need to have both proficiency in a broad range of subjects, including math, reading, science, and social studies, and the ability to teach these subjects in an engaging and comprehensible manner.
- Adaptability. Elementary educators must be flexible, adjusting their lessons and teaching methods to meet the diverse learning needs of their students, ensuring that every child can succeed.
- Communication Skills. Like early childhood educators, elementary educators need to be able to communicate effectively and in a developmentally appropriate way with their students and the students’ families.
Early Childhood Education vs. Elementary Education: Education Requirements
Both early childhood educators and elementary educators must earn a relevant degree. How long it takes to become a teacher can vary depending on each individual’s educational path and mode of study.
Education Requirements for Early Childhood Education
The education and training requirements for preschool teachers vary by setting and state regulations, with most positions requiring at least an associate degree.
To enter the field of early childhood education within a public school system, a bachelor’s degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Early Childhood Education is typically required. This degree provides a comprehensive understanding of child development, curriculum planning, and effective teaching strategies for young learners.
Coursework often includes subjects such as child psychology, early literacy, classroom management, and creative arts.
Hands-on experience through student teaching or internships is often a focal point of the program, providing practical skills and real-world experience.
In addition to earning a degree, obtaining state-specific certification or licensure is often necessary to work as an early childhood educator, and is required for those working in a public school system. The requirements for certification vary by state, but they generally include passing exams that assess knowledge of teaching practices and child development. Many states also require continuing education credits to maintain certification.
Education Requirements for Elementary Education
Teaching jobs in elementary education usually require a bachelor’s degree, such as a BA in Elementary Education. State-specific certification or licensure is also required to teach at the elementary level.
Most elementary education degree programs are teacher preparation programs. These programs combine academic coursework with practical teaching experience. Students typically complete a series of education courses that cover teaching methods, curriculum design, and assessment techniques. Individuals who have earned an undergraduate degree in a field outside of education can often prepare for licensure by participating in a graduate-level teacher preparation program.
Practical experience through student teaching or internships is an essential part of elementary education programs as well, offering prospective teachers the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a classroom setting and develop effective teaching strategies.
After completing their degree program, aspiring elementary school teachers must obtain state certification or licensure to teach in public schools.
Once certified, elementary school teachers are usually required to stay current on their continuing education and professional development to maintain their certification and keep up with the latest educational best practices.
Early Childhood Education vs. Elementary Education: Salary and Job Outlook
Understanding the job outlook for early childhood and elementary education can help prospective teachers make an informed career decision.
Job Outlook: Early Childhood Educators
Preschool teachers usually work in child care centers or in public or private schools. Many follow the traditional 10-month school year, but some positions are year-round.
As of May 2023, the median annual salary for preschool teachers was $37,130, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The BLS projects that employment of preschool teachers will grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032, which matches the average growth rate projected for all occupations. There are projected to be about 56,300 job openings annually, mainly due to workers transferring to other occupations or leaving the workforce, such as for retirement.
Job Outlook: Elementary Educators
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically work in public or private schools. They generally teach during school hours when students are present, and they may prepare lessons and grade assignments on evenings or weekends. Most of these teachers have summers off and do not work during that time.
As of May 2023, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers, excluding special education teachers, was $63,680, according to the BLS. For kindergarten teachers, excluding special education, the median annual salary was $62,690.
The BLS estimates that employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers will remain relatively stable from 2022 to 2032. Despite minimal growth in employment, the agency projects that there will be about 109,000 job openings each year, on average.
Start Your Career in Education
Deciding whether to pursue a career in early childhood education or elementary education depends on the interests, skills, and career goals of the aspiring teacher. Both roles offer rewarding opportunities to make a significant impact on children’s lives. If you enjoy working with very young children and have a nurturing personality, early childhood education might be the right fit for you. If you prefer teaching a broad range of subjects to slightly older children, elementary education could be your calling.
At Mid-America Christian University, we offer comprehensive BA in Early Childhood Education and BA in Elementary Education programs, as well as graduate-level degree and certificate programs. Our programs are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to excel in either of these rewarding careers.
To learn more about how a degree from Mid-America Christian University can prepare you for a career as a teacher, please explore our education degree programs.
Recommended Readings:
Careers in Education: Teaching and Beyond
How to Become a Therapist
Types of Ministry Degrees
Sources:
Forbes, “Earning an Elementary Education Degree: Everything You Need to Know”
Forbes, “Guide to Early Childhood Education Careers: 7 Roles to Consider”
UNESCO, “What You Need to Know About Early Childhood Care and Education”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Preschool Teachers