What is early childhood education? Careers and degrees

By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Cindy Washington, EdD, Assistant Professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Reading time: 4 min read

Early childhood education (ECE) is the education and care of children from birth through age 8. It’s usually divided into three groups: infants and toddlers, preschool and kindergarten through third grade (K–3). ECE covers physical, social and emotional growth as well as academic skills.

An ECE degree can lead to work in teaching, child care center leadership and program administration. Teaching in a public school usually requires a state license, so make sure you know your state’s specific licensure requirements. Note that Capella’s MS in Education, Early Childhood Education Studies is not designed to lead to licensure.

“Creating safe, supportive learning environments and strong family partnerships helps children build confidence, resilience and the skills needed for future success,” explains Cindy Washington, EdD, assistant professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Capella University.

Why does early childhood education matter?

A child’s brain and body develop faster in the first eight years than at any later stage. Washington points to research showing that in the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections form every second, and that early experiences help build the brain architecture that supports future learning, behavior and health.

ECE professionals build on that growth across every area of development, helping children start school with a strong foundation. In addition to supporting cognitive and physical growth, early childhood educators help children develop social-emotional skills such as self-regulation, communication, relationship-building and problem-solving. They also partner with families to support children’s learning and development across home, school and community settings.

How do young children learn best?

Young children learn best through play and movement. ECE professionals use developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), which means matching activities to what children can do at their stage. Although learning experiences change as children grow, all children in the early childhood years, from birth through age 8, benefit from opportunities to move, build, touch, create, climb, explore and learn through hands-on experiences.

Learning looks different at each age, Washington explains. A 2-year-old learns best through hands-on exploration and interaction with caring adults, while a 4-year-old learns best through play-based experiences and social interaction. In a pretend restaurant, for example, preschoolers make menus, take orders and talk with classmates, building early literacy skills.

What careers can you explore in early childhood education?

Graduates of Capella’s MS in Education, Early Childhood Education Studies, may explore roles such as:

• Child development specialist
• Childcare director
• Director of early childhood education
• Early childhood teacher
• Preschool director
• Preschool teacher

Employment settings to explore include child and youth services, child care services and educational support services. (Claim #5786)

According to Washington, some graduates also pursue leadership, coaching, advocacy or program administration roles within early childhood organizations.

These are examples intended as a general guide. Some positions prefer or require experience, licensure, certification or other designations along with a degree. Capella’s Early Childhood Education program is not intended to lead to professional license or certification. Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, promotion, salary increase or other career outcome.

What do early childhood educators study in a master’s program?

The MS in Education, Early Childhood Education Studies coursework is designed to provide authentic learning experiences that connect theory to practice, allowing students to immediately apply what they learn to support children, families and learning environments in their current professional roles. The specialization courses cover:

• Infant and child development: development from the prenatal period to age 8
• The early childhood learning environment: how physical spaces, caregivers and teachers affect learning
• Exceptional children: working with students who have IEPs, IFSPs or 504 plans
• Children, families and society: engaging families in children’s education and care
• Early childhood reading and literacy instruction: how children learn to read and write

What trends are shaping early childhood education?

Several trends are shaping the field:

• Family engagement: Educators partner with families because children learn across home, school and community settings.
• Inclusive classrooms: Educators support children with diverse abilities, disabilities, languages and cultural backgrounds.
• Social-emotional development: Programs focus on self-regulation, executive functioning, relationship-building and mental well-being.
• Evidence-based literacy: Programs emphasize evidence-based reading instruction and early intervention to support reading success.
• Technology and digital literacy: Educators are expected to use developmentally appropriate technology as a tool for learning, creativity, communication and problem-solving, while balancing screen time with hands-on, play-based learning.

From toddlers to second graders, early childhood educators help children start school ready to learn.