physical care of preschool children, like cleaning, feeding, toilet activity since the child develops the capability to speak, to control his or her bowel and bladder movements, eat independently. A teacher needs to focus more on providing interesting and stimulating opportunities for children to learn new things, experience natural phenomena, provide ample opportunities for a variety of experiences like physical, language, social-emotional and other learning experiences. The focus is on enhancing creative expression and exploration, although these aspects are equally important in the earlier years too. It is necessary to focus on providing opportunities to young children primarily because they have a greater requirement for adult guidance.
If we want to express ourselves creatively as adults, we are quite capable of arranging the necessary conditions for this. If we want to talk to someone, we can take the initiative to do so. Children during pre-school years need the support of adults for such tasks. Lev Vygotsky, a psychologist and educator, had outlined the great need that children have for a concerned, caring and knowledgeable adult.
The pre-school educator must have knowledge specifically about the child’s capabilities, more than information about the world. By knowing how much a child actually knows and is capable of knowing, an adult can help to provide the optimal environment wherein learning is easy, enjoyable and meaningful. The tasks given to a child should be neither too easy nor too difficult; otherwise a child will either lose interest and/or motivation to engage in the activity. Some of the skills an early childhood professional needs to have are: An interest in children and their development Knowledge about the needs and capabilities of young children Capacity and motivation for interacting with children Skills for creative and interesting activities with children in all areas of development Enthusiasm for activities like story-telling, exploration, nature and social interaction Willingness and interest in answering children’s queries Capacity for understanding individual differences Be energetic and prepared for physical activity for considerably long periods of time Further, in order to prepare for a career in this field, it is essential to have studied