Kindergarten Teacher

What Is a Kindergarten Teacher?

A kindergarten teacher is an educator who specializes in early childhood education. Kindergarten teachers introduce children ages four through six to a structured classroom learning environment.

At the kindergarten level, teachers focus on teaching the foundational academic skills that students need for first grade and beyond, including the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. Kindergarten teachers also help young children learn important life skills, such as emotional intelligence and other social skills.

Almost 66%

Percentage of children reported to be on track for kindergarten readiness (See disclaimer 1 )

Kindergarten teachers provide instruction in academic fundamentals and life skills to prepare children to succeed in first grade and beyond.

As early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers are essential for helping children make the most of their formative years. The human brain is most active early in life, forming millions of neural connections necessary for cognitive processing . (See disclaimer 2 ) By providing the early childhood education that these young learners need, kindergarten teachers help prepare them for their future. Kindergarten teachers typically teach a wide range of subjects, and they often pair instructional lessons with hands‑on activities.

A kindergarten teacher's three main tasks are:

Instruct

Kindergarten teachers prepare lesson plans and instruct students as a class, in small groups and individually in academic fundamentals, such as reading, writing and mathematics.

Evaluate

Early childhood educators evaluate students' progress by grading assignments, and they communicate with parents and guardians about learners' achievements and problem areas.

Manage

Kindergarten teachers manage student behavior by teaching appropriate behaviors and helping children learn about important social skills, such as sharing and turn‑taking.

A high school diploma is essential for future teachers. Students should take all the courses necessary for high school graduation and college preparation. In some high schools, relevant electives may be available, such as child development, psychology, childcare and safety and first aid. High school students can also look for relevant extracurricular activities working with young children, including job shadowing and internships.

(See disclaimer 4 )

College Degree

Kindergarten teachers typically need a bachelor's degree in education. Some education programs may offer concentrations in a content area, such as STEM or mathematics. Aspiring kindergarten teachers who earned a bachelor's degree in a non‑education field may pursue an alternative path to certification with a master's degree that leads to initial teacher licensure. (See disclaimer 3 )

Student Teaching

To obtain licensure, future kindergarten teachers are typically required to complete one or more student teaching experiences, which are part of the curriculum for initial teacher licensure education degree programs. (See disclaimer 3 ) Student teaching experiences place future teachers in classrooms to gain work experience under the supervision of a licensed teacher.

Professional Certifications

All public school teachers are required to obtain licensure or certification from the state in which they teach. (See disclaimer
3) Requirements vary by state, but generally include a bachelor's degree and student teaching experience, as well as the successful completion of both a background check and certification exams. Continuing education courses may be required to maintain active licensure. (See disclaimer
3)

Kindergarten teachers can benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from professional ethics to childhood development to pedagogy. Young learners have varied needs, requiring both specialized instruction at the early childhood level and social support for proper development.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education programs may lead to licensure for teaching kindergarten…