Early Years Teacher Teaching Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Early Years Teacher Do?
Early years teachers instruct students, primarily young children, in basic subjects and creative play with the aim of developing their social and intellectual skills in an informal way in preparation for future formal learning. They create lesson plans, possibly in accordance with a fixed curriculum, for an entire class or smaller groups and test the students on the content. These lesson plans, based on basic subjects, can include the instruction of number, letter, and colour recognition, days of the week, categorisation of animals and transport vehicles etc. Early years teachers also supervise students outside the classroom on school grounds and enforce rules of behaviour there as well.
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Where Do I Start?
Curriculum Objectives
The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Early Years Teacher
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCurriculum Objectives knowledge
The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialChildren's Physical Development knowledge
Recognise and describe the development, observing the following criteria: weight, length, and head size, nutritional requirements, renal function, hormonal influences on development, response to stress, and infection.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialKindergarten School Procedures knowledge
The inner workings of a kindergarten, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, policies, and regulations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLearning Difficulties knowledge
The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTeamwork Principles knowledge
The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdapt Teaching To Student's Capabilities skill
Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students' individual learning needs and goals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Intercultural Teaching Strategies skill
Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Teaching Strategies skill
Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use …
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EssentialAssess The Development Of Youth skill
Evaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In Children's Development Of Basic Personal Skills skill
Encourage and facilitate the development of children's natural curiosity and social and language abilities through creative and social activities such as storytelling, imaginative play, songs, drawing, and games.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist Students In Their Learning skill
Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist Students With Equipment skill
Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDemonstrate When Teaching skill
Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEncourage Students To Acknowledge Their Achievements skill
Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFacilitate Teamwork Between Students skill
Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialGive Constructive Feedback skill
Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialGuarantee Students' Safety skill
Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person's supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Care Programmes For Children skill
Perform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Students' Discipline skill
Make sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Children's Problems skill
Promote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental disorders including depression, and anxiety disorders.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Student Relationships skill
Manage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialObserve Student's Progress skill
Follow up on students' learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Classroom Management skill
Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Lesson Content skill
Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupport Children's Wellbeing skill
Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupport The Positiveness Of Youths skill
Help children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTeach Kindergarten Class Content skill
Instruct pre-primary students in basic learning principles, in preparation for future formal learning. Teach them the principles of certain basic subjects such as number, letter, and colour recognition, days of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 18 displayed)
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OptionalFirst Aid knowledge
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSpecial Needs Education knowledge
The teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.
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OptionalAssessment Processes knowledge
Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCommon Children's Diseases knowledge
The symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of diseases and disorders that often affect children, such as the measles, chickenpox, asthma, the mumps, and head lice.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalLanguage Teaching Methods knowledge
The techniques used to teach students a foreign language, such as audio-lingual, communicative language teaching (CLT), and immersion.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalWorkplace Sanitation knowledge
The importance of a clean, sanitary workspace for example through use of hand disinfectant and sanitizer, in order to minimise infection risk between colleagues or when working with children.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAssess Students skill
Evaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAttend To Children's Basic Physical Needs skill
Tend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConsult Students On Learning Content skill
Take students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEscort Students On A Field Trip skill
Accompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLiaise With Educational Support Staff skill
Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Relations With Children's Parents skill
Inform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Resources For Educational Purposes skill
Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Creative Performance skill
Organise an event in which participants can express their creativity, such as putting on a dance, theatre, or talent show.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Playground Surveillance skill
Observe students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote The Safeguarding Of Young People skill
Understand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Lesson Materials skill
Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide After School Care skill
Lead, supervise or help with the assistance of indoor and outdoor recreational or educational activities after school or during school holidays.
Course recommendations coming soon.