UC Blue Ash College

Pre-Early Childhood Education Program

Education is the profession of teaching. Early childhood education concentrates on the preschool, kindergarten and first three grades of elementary school.

Preschool children learn mainly through play and interactive activities. Their teachers capitalize on play to further language and vocabulary development, improve social skills and introduce scientific and mathematical concepts. Thus, a less structured approach is adopted, including small group lessons, one-on-one instruction and learning through creative activities such as art, dance and music.

Play and hands-on teaching are also used by kindergarten teachers, but academics begin to take priority in kindergarten. Letter recognition, phonics, numbers and awareness of nature and science, introduced at the preschool level, are taught primarily in kindergarten.

Primary-school teachers strive to give students a solid foundation for future studies.

Preschool, kindergarten and primary-school teachers introduce children to mathematics, language, science and social studies. They use games, music, artwork, films, books, computers and other tools to teach basic skills. They play a vital role in their students' development. What children learn and experience during their early years will shape their views of themselves and the world, and can affect their later success or failure in school, work and their personal lives.

A bachelor's degree in education is the minimum educational requirement for entering the teaching profession. This program provides you with the first two years toward completion of your bachelor's degree.

Where It Will Take You

With your bachelor's degree and proper licensing, your employment opportunities include the following:

  • Preschool teacher
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Primary grade-school teacher
  • Child-care center director
  • Head Start teacher
  • Head Start family advocate
  • Developmental interventionist
  • Child life specialist

Transition-Oriented Program

Successful completion of this program will prepare you to transfer into the junior year at other four-year colleges or universities. Your program adviser will guide your course work in order for you to transfer directly to the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services or another four-year institution. Learn more about transition-oriented programs.

Resources

Contact Information

Behavioral Science Department
Phone: 513-558-7833
Email: pre-earlyeducation@ucblueash.edu