Early Childhood Education Volenteering?

Question

In college, I want to study Early Childhood Education. I think that volenteering would be a good thing to do, to get used to the children, the envirment, ect.

Do you know of any programs that I could participate in?

Any daycares?

Ages 13-18 or any age in between.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Do you mean 13 to 18 months? Check with your school counselor and also call the different day cares in your area. You might also contact churches for their Sunday or weekday events. They might need volunteers in their nurseries. Another place to check could be the YWCA or the YMCA.

Answer 2

Very good idea.  Volunteering is a good way to get a grasp of what it is all about.  

I'm a little confused with the studying in early childhood education but wishing to volunteer with children ages 13-18...or maybe that is your age :-)  Little confusing there.  But early childhood education is from birth to about age 6.  If you are looking to work with older kids... find out of your school district or one near by does after school and summer care for middler schoolers.  For early childhood...day cares are a good place to start.  They usually enjoy volunteers because a couple pair of hands is usually a big help.  Call your day cares in the area and explain what you would like to do.  There may even be some family child cares or group homes that may be willing to have you come and work with the children.  Find out if their are in programs run through the school district... any colleges nearby that have child care?  Most will require a background check...just a heads up!  

Another piece of information...when I was in high school I went to the local elmentary school for a credit.  That gave me experience in an actual Kindergarten/first grade classroom.  Something to consider and speak to your school counsler about.  

Good luck!

Answer 3

just check your local daycares and preschools and see if they allow visitors, volunteers or shadowing.   Everyplace is different.  good luck.

Answer 4

Like the previous person said, are you 13-18 if not early childhood does not include those ages..............

if you are looking to gain experience in the early childhood area.........try your local HeadStart center/program......or your local elementary schools preschool or kindergarten program they are always over worked and in need of extra hands to help with educating and assisting children.

Answer 5

I am glad you are considering this for a area of study.  You should look into the program you are going into because a lot of the time you can do independent studies and actually have a job that gets you college credit. The ages that you are mentioning would be in  the area of  adolescence not early childhood.  I encourage you to go to the NAEYC (national association for the education of young children) web page as a resource for what early childhood education is and if it might be exciting for you. I can promise you that your school will have many community resources in the area of adolescence.  I have been involved in early childhood education for 20 years and got my start with the Boys and Girls club of America.  You could really learn a lot from this environment because it is child centered and it encompasses ages 5-18.  If you go to boys and girls club of America website go to the "find a club" section and you can find one in your area.  I strongly recommend you look into this before you make a firm decision about what age you will study.  I am sure the posts above me agree that the developmental needs of early childhood and adolescence are very dramatic in some areas.  I wish you well and please look into both boys and girls club and NAEYC.