Early Childhood Education

Early childhood teachers have the opportunity to shape young lives. Be the teacher who ignites a lifelong love of learning.

Make An Impact

Early childhood – typically defined in Virginia as preschool through about 3rd grade – is a critical time for child development. Not only are students learning a multitude of academic skills, like reading and mathematics, they're also adjusting to classroom dynamics and practicing important socio-emotional skills that they will need for the rest of their lives. By studying early childhood education at the School of Education and Human Development, you'll learn the specific skills you need to guide and support young children in the classroom and set them on the path to lifelong learning.

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“Young students need a consistent trajectory of educational experiences that builds on the preceding years—and informs what follows.”

– Dean Bob Pianta

Careers

As emerging research continues to confirm the importance of brain development in young children, early childhood educators are in increasingly high demand.

Teaching offers more than an enriching and fulfilling career – it also offers stability. US News reports that over 116,000 new elementary education jobs will be added to the market by 2022. Fortunately, the School of Education and Human Development teacher education graduates enjoy a 100% job placement rate. Our teaching graduates have also become instructional coordinators or curriculum specialists, gone into government to improve educational policy, pursued careers in academia and research, and joined museums.

Degrees and Course Series

Choosing the right degree or course series is critical to supporting your ultimate career goals. Let us help guide you through your choices.