By Nouran Ahmed
The Early Childhood Education Program is a four year program at Timber Creek that teaches students the initiative of being a teacher and child care provider. The program is taught by Mrs.Wright and Mrs.Houston. Each year, every student progresses in their knowledge and ability to work with kids. Those who enjoy working with kids would love working in this program. Students who want to work in the childcare profession would find this elective very beneficial to them. Early Childhood gives students a head- start in their careers. Succeeding in the four year program certifies them to work in a pre-school. During their first year they’ll learn the basics of working in a child-care center.
Freshman Angela D’emo is a student in the program. She commented on what the environment was like. “It’s very joyful and positive and makes me want to go to class everyday.” One thing to note about the program is that in ECE 1 the students do not get to work with the children directly in order to practice and to make sure they pass all 7 of their DCF exams. In order to feel comfortable in the environment around kids as well, the classroom for ECE 1 is attached to the Wolf Pup center. Everyday the environment is very welcoming and allows the student to want to stay in the four-year program.
Another thing to note about the program is the workload. D’emo explained one thing she would tell and incoming freshman about Early Childhood and she said, “I would say to only do it if you’re interested in working with kids because it takes a lot of work ethic to be successful in the class.” Due to the classes ability to give students an adult certification for much cheaper, it is a class that students should make sure they’re committed to. The amount of students in ECE go from around a 100 and by ECE 4 there are about 15 students. If an incoming freshman hopes to work with kids in their first year that may not happen until the final weeks of the school year or ECE 2.
Another great thing about Early Childhood are the teachers. Mrs.Wright and Mrs.Houston are very positive and welcoming when coming to their classes. Another freshman, Gabriella Borriello siad, “The teachers are very positive and encouraging and always show to keep persevering.” The teachers for this program know how to encourage and make these students feel comfortable about working with kids. Ms. Wright for example reads children’s books and makes her students do dances to make them feel more comfortable. The positivity of the classroom encourages students to want to come to class. Even though there is the encouraging environment, it is also serious. Trusting students to take care of your kids is a privilege that all students understand. Many adults who want to pursue a career in childcare must wait longer in their life and pay more money for the exact training and certification highschoolers are getting.
Even though Early Childhood can be a demanding class, D’emo would not have picked something else if she could do it all again. She said, “No, I would not, because I feel like this class would be the most important and beneficial for me when I’m older.” D’emo also explained that she planned to continue the class throughout high school. “I think each year you learn more and more and it allows you to get closer to where I need to be. Every year you get more experience,” she said. Early Childhood is one of the most beneficial electives that Timber Creek has to offer. It takes initiative and responsibility to be in Early Childhood. D’emo is very passionate about being in this elective and wanting it to help her in the future.
Keep it Colorful. Gabriella Borriello and Ema Rey working on their notebooks during class where Mrs. Wright checks for creativity, accuracy and effort. Gabriella Borriello says, “Mrs. Wright tells us that in order to get used to being in a preschool environment, we have to be creative in everything we do.” Photo by Nouran Ahmed.