What Does a Preschool Teacher Do?

Preschool teachers help their students learn mainly through play and interactive activities, capitalizing on children's play to further language and vocabulary development. As a preschool teacher, you might use storytelling, rhyming games, and acting games to improve social skills, or introduce scientific and mathematical concepts. Most preschool settings employ a less structured approach, including small-group lessons, one-on-one instruction, and learning through creative activities such as music, art, and dance. Lots of discussion and collaborative problem solving characterize the preschool classroom.

Educational Requirements for Preschool Teachers

To become a preschool teacher, most states and private schools expect you to have at least an associate's degree. In many cases, preschool teachers start out as assistant teachers. With this experience, you can advance to being a teacher and eventually to lead teacher status. As a preschool teacher, you need to have proficiency with helping children learn how to cooperate; providing fun learning activities suitable for preschoolers; keeping children safe; working as a team member along with other teachers; and interacting with parents.

Other Requirements

You need to be an eager participant in children's growth and development, and understand how to use their natural curiosity to help make the appropriate developmental leaps in their skills and abilities. You'll be expected to create an atmosphere where risks can be taken discoveries made while children remain safe. Most preschool teachers will be required to earn certification in first aid procedures and in infant and child CPR. They will also need to undergo police background checks and be fingerprinted.