How to Become an Ideal Preschool Teacher
If students emerge as the light of knowledge from the lamp to prevail over the darkness of ignorance, teachers are the igniters of that light, while the lamp is assumed as the school/institution from which the light emerges to touch even the sky with glory. These three essential entities—student, school and teacher meant for enlightenment are integrally bound with each other. Teacher, in this trio, plays the most crucial role to ignite and let the flames of ignition spread for enlightenment. This enlightenment has its emanating point in school, especially the preschool or play school, which is regarded as the root of educational plant. Since the teachers play the most important role in giving the perfect shape to their students, their qualification, compassion, ability and even agility merit vital importance for present and future prospects not only of the students taught by them but also those of the school and nation where they establish themselves in the profession of teaching.
Criteria to become a preschool teacher
Appointment of preschool teachers depends upon the requirements that vary from state to state and from school to school in a country. There are states and markets that have demarcated a high school diploma or 12 pass with at least 50% of marks for induction of preschool teachers, while others demand a degree or certification in early childhood education (ECE) as practised in the United States, which covers preschool through grade III. High status preschool teachers need to possess bachelor’s degree in any stream with preference to education as the main subject or teacher training diploma.
In private schools, teachers may have different requirements. For example, in USA, Bachelor’s degrees in ECE typically include the subjects like early childhood development, teaching strategies for teaching kids of tender age, and basic courses in reading, math, and science subjects. The aspirants who are interested to become state-certified teachers must ensure that they complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
Educational Qualifications to become a preschool teacher in India
In India, there are two steps that need to be qualified to become a preschool teacher:
Numerous vocational training centres are there that conduct training for preschool teachers. It starts from N.T.T. and another option in Early Childhood and Care Education (ECCE) provided by IGNOU on a distance basis. Thus, to become primary teacher, the minimum qualification is graduation with a nursery training certificate/diploma or degree. Generally, the candidates having Bachelors in education (B.Ed.) take their career’s break as primary school teachers and gradually move ahead. The candidate should be a graduate or a post graduate with at least 55% marks aggregate and possessing either a diploma or degree in education or teaching.
The aspiring teacher must have studied at least one of the teaching subjects while pursuing graduation. Subsequently, they can obtain an associate’s degree in childhood development or education to enhance their employability.
Some reputed institutes offering courses for nursery or preschool teacher
In India, there are some reputed institutes that offer courses for nursery teacher or preschool teacher:
- University of Delhi (DU)
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- IGNOU – Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
- National Academy of Teacher’s Training, New Delhi
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
- Ramakrishna Teachers Training Institute
How a preschool teacher ought to be
A preschool teacher must exude his/her spontaneity in supporting the development of children’s basic skills, including physical coordination, speech and communication. He/she should encourage their mathematical and creative development through stories, games, songs & music, drawing and play. As a teacher, he/she must have compassion, a good sense of humour, appreciable communication skill and ever ready to lead and manage the agile and interesting children. A teacher should also have an ability develop and produce visual aids and teaching resources. He/she can organise learning materials and resources and make imaginative use of resources, helping the children develop personal, social and linguistic flairs.