Early childhood education is a fundamental part of successful learning. Although many of us think of kindergarten as early childhood education, the reality is that this process should begin much sooner. Studies have shown that children, who attend a high-quality preschool, will excel in the primary first years of formal learning. Parents are often shocked to discover what is expected of their child when they begin kindergarten. Early childhood education is a critical step that is often overlooked by parents and guardians.

Early childhood education encompasses the fundamental learning skills used in reading, writing, and arithmetic. These areas are incorporated within preschool and in some cases kindergarten settings to prepare youngsters for academic achievement. Children entering kindergarten are expected to have the building blocks of basic reading and arithmetic. This would include recognizing letters, and sight words, as well as comprehending basic shapes. The preschool program should develop these skills so that the student is prepared for more advanced lessons when they begin kindergarten.

Several states have adopted early childhood education programs to prepare their youngsters for their school years. Studies have shown that “at-risk” children that attend such programs outperform their peers, who did not have the same access during their formative years. The Texas Department of Education has developed a Head Start program that provides underprivileged youth with a high-quality early childhood program. The U.S. Government is encouraging states to offer this same opportunity to all pre-kindergarten children. Unfortunately, lack of funding and teacher shortages are making this task very difficult to obtain.

The Texas Early Childhood Education program includes both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The curriculum includes the fundamental courses of English, Math, Science, History, and Reading. It also incorporates enrichment courses, such as fine arts and technology applications. Many people are surprised to discover kindergarteners working on computers, but introduction to these concepts from the beginning are crucial to the student’s success. Because the courses are more advanced than they used to be, it is even more essential that teachers be well versed in the methodologies needed to instruct young children.

Due to the ever increasing shortages of teachers, the State of Texas has approved alternative certification programs to help fill the teacher shortage gaps. The Web-Centric Alternative Certification Program (WCACP) is an online solution to allow individuals that meet program requirements to enter the early childhood education field. This alternative certification program will instruct teaching candidates how to engage young children in age appropriate tasks that will prepare them for further learning. The alternative certification program allows participates to maintain their hectic schedule without sacrificing the necessary training needed to prepare them for the classroom. Students will be allowed to complete all group and self-paced modules online. The program uses items such as blogs, forums, and videoconferencing to create a well-rounded educational experience.

WCACP offers an online alternative certification program that is approved by the State of Texas. The alternative certification program helps to certify early childhood teachers pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. Online training instructs individuals on the critical teaching practices needed, when instructing young children. Before a school district in the State of Texas can hire a teaching candidate, individuals enrolled in the alternative certification program must pass their EC-4 Generalist content exam. This aptitude test evaluates your knowledge in key subject matter.

Early childhood education is the stepping-stone to success. Young children must have this vital knowledge in order to excel throughout their school years. Early childhood education provides the fundamental elements of reading, writing, and arithmetic that will carry a child into adulthood. Research has shown that children, who are denied this step, struggle to keep up with their peers. Educating a child in these formative years is the best way to encourage them to succeed and be successful in the future. WCACP is giving you the opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life, so make a move you will never regret and be a part of early childhood education.