Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education Major prepares you for initial Massachusetts licensure to teach children in PreK–grade 2. Our program is deeply rooted in the liberal arts, integrating early childhood education coursework from various disciplines with diverse field experiences.

Through theory and practice, you’ll acquire a deep understanding of child development and best practices for teaching core subjects, such as math, science, reading, and language arts to young children. This will include developing your capacity to plan lessons, adapt curricular materials, and use asset-based assessment to inform your instruction. You’ll also be empowered with the skills to effectively manage a classroom and learn how to support the social, emotional, academic, and cognitive development of early learners from diverse backgrounds.

As you grow through the program, you’ll receive unparalleled mentorship from faculty who are leaders in the field and make meaningful career connections. You’ll also be inspired to explore flexible pathways to broaden your career opportunities. At Wheaton, you’ll graduate with a degree, career-aligned professional experience, and the skills to make a meaningful impact in early childhood classrooms.

Major

NOTE: As an Early Childhood Education Major, it is important to meet with your academic advisor regularly to stay on track with requirements.

Specialization

At Wheaton, you’ll graduate with a competitive advantage by choosing a second major or a minor that aligns with your interests or professional goals. By pursuing an additional area of study, you’ll deepen your expertise and enhance your teaching practice with specialized knowledge. Many of our liberal arts programs complement the Early Childhood Education Major, including English, History, Hispanic Studies, Mathematics, Music, Psychology, or Visual or Performance Arts to name a few.

You might also consider our Teaching Multilingual Learners Minor, as an additional minor, to gain the knowledge and skills to teach English Language Learners and earn a TESOL certificate. You’ll also be prepared to apply for ESL licensure. This expands your career options to work with multilingual learners in U.S. classrooms, teach English overseas, work in nonprofit organizations, or make an impact on language-related education policies.

Wheaton education student sitting at table playing with preschool children at the Early Education Center.

Field Experience

As an Early Childhood Education Major, you’ll gain field experience in diverse school settings. This includes spending time observing, and possibly working with, children at our on-campus Early Education Center. This play-based preschool program is led by teachers certified under the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). It has been a child study and research site since 1931.

Your Sophomore Experience includes 25 hours of fieldwork, with opportunities to work with multilingual learners or students with learning differences. In your junior and senior years, you’ll complete pre-practicum experiences to prepare for your final semester student-teacher placement.

Our small class sizes allow faculty to help you tailor your experiences to your career goals. Placements include diverse settings in local elementary schools and social service organizations. Best of all, our professors will observe you in the field, offering feedback and guidance.


Wheaton education student standing in a Norton Public School classroom.


School Placements

Wheaton has strong connections with local schools and organizations to ensure you receive diverse and supportive field experiences. Here are just some of the schools at which you might engage in fieldwork as an Early Childhood Education Major:

  • L.G. Nourse Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • J.C. Solmonese Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • Henri A. Yelle Elementary School (Norton, MA)
  • Foxborough Regional Charter School (Foxborough, MA)


Licensure

As an Early Childhood Education Major, you’ll acquire the skills to teach early learners in a variety of settings. In order to teach at a Massachusetts public school, you’ll need to take additional coursework in the liberal arts and pass state-mandated Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs). Our curriculum covers the key content areas on the exams.

We also offer workshops, personalized support, and free study resources to help you prepare. Upon successful completion of our program and the MTEL exams, you’ll earn initial licensure to teach students in grades PreK-2 in the state of Massachusetts. You may also opt to convert your license in other states. Some jurisdictions require additional exams, courses or fees.

Sample First Jobs

  • Kindergarten Teacher, MLK Jr. Charter School of Excellence
  • Afterschool Kindergarten Teacher, New Beginning Family Academy
  • Assistant Director and Pre-K Teacher, Busy Bee Childhood Development Center
  • Grade 2 French Immersion Teacher, Milton Public Schools
  • Literacy Tutor, Meriden Board of Education
  • Preschool Teacher, The LEAP School
  • Fulbright Scholar – English Teaching Assistant, Spain


Sample Graduate Schools

  • Assumption University
  • Lesley University


Department

Offered by the Education department.