Early Childhood Education

Early childhood refers to the period between birth and 8 years of age, wherein a child’s brain is highly sensitive to the environment around them. This time of “remarkable growth” requires a specialized educational approach to ensure that children learn key skills and foundational concepts to prepare them for later life. 

Early childhood education is focused on the critical developmental milestones, skills, and concepts that children attain during this period of their lives, from social-emotional skills to the beginnings of numeracy, literacy, and critical thinking. In addition to preparing children for future academic success, the development of high-quality early childhood care and education is considered by the OECD to be a key economic indicator when assessing the health and future positioning of a nation. This foundational aspect of education directly contributes to better lives for children, which resounds through national improvements to prosperity, social inclusion, and economic development. 

Unlike most career paths, teaching is a calling – one that takes a unique personality willing to listen to, learn from and shape the students they will have in their classroom. There are few careers as personally fulfilling or as important to the future as one in Education. Within the field of Education, there are many different paths to pursue.

In addition to the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree, Midland College offers an exciting opportunity to start your career in teaching by pursuing Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree with a major in Early Childhood Education (ECE). It is a fully accredited program.

Individuals who complete the BAS ECE are prepared for careers as lead classroom teachers, teacher aides or program specialists in early childhood education private school settings, afterschool programs and early childhood centers such as Early Head Start and Head Start. Midland College is seeking Educator Preparation Program approval from the Texas Education Agency. When approved, candidates who complete all requirements will be certified to teach in a Texas public school.