The Benefits of Early Childhood Intervention

From academic achievement to behavior and physical health, research continues to prove the many significant benefits of early childhood intervention programs.

“The first few years of a child’s life are a particularly sensitive period in the process of development,” according to the RAND Corporation report Proven Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions.* “Yet many children face various stressors during these years that can impair their healthy development.”

Early childhood intervention programs lessen these stressors so children can succeed in both the short and long term, the report states. It also states that the more educated a program caregiver is, the stronger the program impact.

A degree in early childhood development, particularly a master’s in early childhood education, can prepare you for leadership roles in the field by deepening your understanding of child development and helping you develop the knowledge and skills you need to create and manage outstanding programs that promote positive learning experiences.

Early childhood master’s programs that feature academic specializations can help focus your education in an area that matches your career goals. Walden University’s MS in Early Childhood Studies features four different specializations with curriculum that can immediately be applied in the workplace, paving the way for significant, positive impact on both children and caregivers.

• Administration, Management, and Leadership
  From recruiting and motivating staff to managing budgets, earning a master’s in early childhood studies with a specialization in Administration, Management, and Leadership can help you qualify for administrative roles directing or owning child care programs and centers. The curriculum is designed to prepare you to oversee and develop program content, ensure health and safety compliance, enlist and manage staff, communicate with parents and the greater community, and manage costs.
• Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy 
  The field of early childhood development requires working knowledge of the political bodies that govern and fund them. Curriculum within the Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy specialization examines how early childhood policies are developed, how funds are allocated, and family and political advocacy. You’ll also be able to learn how to write grants, how to stay current on best research practices, and how to effectively communicate to meet your program goals.
• Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field
  Properly trained adults are critical to the success of any early childhood development program. Curriculum within Walden’s Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field specialization explores major theories of adult learning as well as how to modify instruction, plan adult learning experiences, and incorporate technology into adult learning.
• Teaching Diversity in Early Childhood Education
  Diversity affects every aspect of early childhood development and learning. The teaching and diversity specialization within Walden’s master’s in early childhood education focuses on how to best plan curriculum and teach children facing poverty, stress, violence, and trauma, including how to create caring, inclusive, respectful learning environments that help all students learn and grow.

Do these specializations inspire you?

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences at Walden University, a National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)-accredited institution, is dedicated to enhancing educator effectiveness. With curriculum developed to reflect National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines, Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies degree program is also completely online, making it ideal for those balancing work and family commitments.

Discover how Walden’s online master’s in early childhood education can help you make meaningful, lifelong contributions in the lives of children in a convenient online format that fits your busy life.

*L. A. Karoly, M. R. Kilburn, and J. S. Cannon, Proven Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions, RAND research brief, on the Internet at http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9145.html.

Walden University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. As a recognized standard of excellence in professional education for the preparation of teachers, administrators, and other preK–12 school professionals, NCATE accreditation ensures that the institution has met rigorous national standards set by the profession and members of the public. However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses offered to preK–12 educators for professional development, relicensure, or other purposes.

Walden offers both state-approved educator licensure programs as well as programs and courses that do not lead to licensure or endorsements. Prospective students must review their state licensure requirements prior to enrolling. For more information, please refer to www.WaldenU.edu/educlicensure.

Prospective Alabama students: Contact the Teacher Education and Certification Division of the Alabama State Department of Education at 1-334-242-9935 or alabamaachieves.org to verify that these programs qualify for teacher certification, endorsement, and/or salary benefits.

Prospective Washington state students are advised to contact the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction at 1-360-725-6275 or [email protected] to determine whether Walden’s programs in the field of education are approved for teacher certification or endorsements in Washington state. Additionally, teachers are advised to contact their individual school district as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.