12 Childhood Development Jobs
Do you love working with children? Are you passionate about helping young ones achieve their full potential?
If so, a degree in childhood development might be for you. This fascinating field of study explores how children grow, learn, and thrive. It combines insights from psychology, education, and physiology to understand how they think and feel. It also addresses the many factors that help and hinder their development into happy, healthy adults. Diving into aspects of emotional, mental, and physical well-being, this degree takes a holistic approach to young people's development.
Over the course of their studies, child development majors gain a deep understanding of the field, as well as key transferable skills. They learn to read and assess academic research, as well as conduct some of their own. They hone their written and verbal communication skills, learning to adapt their voice and style for different audiences. Most programs also include a practicum component, enabling students to gain hands-on experience working with kids or teens.
Together, these valuable skills prepare childhood development majors for a variety of careers. Let's take a look at a few of the most common ones.
This article will be covering the following careers:
| Career | Avg Salary | Satisfaction | Your Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Assistant | $25k | 3.4/5 | |
| Childcare Worker | $28k | 3.2/5 | |
| Family Social Worker | $55k | 2.8/5 | |
| Nanny | $28k | 3.3/5 | |
| School Psychologist | $89k | 3.2/5 | |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $64k | 3.1/5 | |
| Art Teacher | $42k | 3.4/5 | |
| Recreation Worker | $32k | 3.6/5 | |
| Preschool Teacher | $36k | 3.2/5 | |
| Special Education Teacher | $56k | 3.1/5 | |
| Childcare Program Administrator | $54k | 3.3/5 | |
| School Counselor | $63k | 3.5/5 |
Are these careers suited to you? Our comprehensive career test measures your personality traits and interests and matches you to over 800 careers.
1. Teacher Assistant
Teacher assistants are the glue that holds the education system together. They assist teachers with a range of classroom tasks, provide tutoring, and organize fun activities. They may also offer one-on-one support to students who are falling behind or experiencing emotional issues.
Teacher Assistant
A teacher assistant provides support and assistance to classroom teachers in educational settings.
2. Childcare Worker
If teaching isn't for you, you may be interested in a childcare position. Professionals in this field keep kids happy, safe, and engaged while their parents are busy at work. They help resolve arguments and disagreements, organize games and activities, and, best of all, play!
Childcare Worker
A childcare worker is responsible for the care and supervision of children in various settings, such as daycare centers, preschools, and private homes.
3. Family Social Worker
Family social workers help parents and kids make it through challenging times. They collaborate with psychologists and other professionals to provide guidance, counseling, and more. They also help families find and access social services that make life easier and more enjoyable.
Family Social Worker
A family social worker works directly with individuals, families, and communities to address various social and emotional challenges they may be facing.
4. Nanny
For a less structured position, consider becoming a nanny. Nannies work in many settings, on many schedules, offering care to many different kinds of children. Some live with a family, providing full-time care to their kids. Others drop by on a weekly or even monthly basis. Either way, this is a rewarding, social job.
Nanny
A nanny is a professional caregiver hired to provide personalized and comprehensive childcare services within a private household.
5. School Psychologist
This career requires additional training, but the extra years of education will be worth it for the right person. School psychologists use their expertise in learning and mental health to help young people succeed emotionally, behaviorally, socially, and academically.
School Psychologist
A school psychologist plays an important role in supporting the psychological well-being and academic success of students in educational settings.
6. Kindergarten Teacher
Five- to six-year-olds are some of the funnest, most engaged children to spend time with—not to mention the cutest! As a kindergarten teacher, you'll support their interpersonal and intellectual growth through educational tools and classroom activities. Plus, you'll get paid to play! This can be a dream career for many childhood development majors.
Kindergarten Teacher
A kindergarten teacher specializes in teaching young children from ages five to six the foundational skills necessary for their academic and social development.
7. Art Teacher
If you have a love of art, a career as an art teacher might be an ideal fit. These educators are found in all levels of schooling, from kindergarten to post-secondary. In this role, you'll develop lesson plans, lead classroom activities, and help kids discover their creative side.
Art Teacher
An art teacher specializes in teaching various forms of visual arts, including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics, to students of all ages and skill levels.
8. Recreation Worker
From summer camp jobs to community center positions, there are no shortage of recreation jobs available. In this career, you can use your knowledge of childhood development to coach junior sports teams, organize dance classes, lead outdoor adventures for youth, and more.
Recreation Worker
A recreation worker plans, organizes, and leads recreational activities for various groups of people.
9. Preschool Teacher
Unlike many educator positions, preschool teachers are not required to have a teaching certificate. They create and implement lesson plans, offer supervision, and provide emotional support to young ones during some of the most important years of their lives.
Preschool Teacher
A preschool teacher is an educator who specializes in working with young children between the ages of three and five in a preschool setting.
10. Special Education Teacher
Special education careers involve more than teaching. In addition to providing one-on-one tutoring, professionals in this field offer emotional support and act as advocates for students with disabilities and other learning challenges. They also run tests, develop lesson plans, and monitor children's development.
Special Education Teacher
A special education teacher works with students who have a wide range of disabilities and special needs.
11. Childcare Program Administrator
If you'd prefer a less hands-on role in the childcare sector, this job is for you. Program administrators handle the day-to-day operations of day cares and other programs. This can include scheduling activities, hiring staff, organizing training sessions, and more. With your bachelor's in child development, you'll be ideally positioned to work your way toward a management position.
Childcare Program Administrator
A childcare program administrator is responsible for overseeing the operations and management of a childcare program or facility.
12. School Counselor
School counselors are found in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools. They provide support for students of all ages, helping them to achieve their personal, academic, and career goals. If school counseling sounds like the job for you, study hard and keep up your grades. Typically, a graduate degree is required to enter this career.
School Counselor
A school counselor provides support and guidance to students within an educational setting.