The field of child care is one that is always evolving. As the needs of children change, so do the methods and strategies used to reach them. As a result, those who work with children must be lifelong learners, always keeping up to date with the latest research and best practices.
While careers dealing with children are fulfilling and rewarding, they can also be incredibly challenging. Little humans demand a unique set of needs and learning styles at different stages of their development. As such, the skills you may need to be successful in working with children can seem like working in a totally different career. To work with children seamlessly, you must hone your communication skills, conflict management skills and organizational skills, among many other specialized skills that specific roles call for.
If you truly want to work with children, then immersing yourself in a field that directly relates to children and their development can help. You could pursue a school counseling course at Walsh University, which will prepare you to work with young children and their families. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective school counselors and covers a wide range of topics, including counseling theory and practice, human development, and multicultural issues in counseling, as well as school law and ethics.
Key career paths for working with children
There are many different career options available for those interested in working with children. Some of these options include working as a teacher, counselor, social worker, or childcare provider, among many others. Each of these career options has its own set of requirements and responsibilities. Let’s explore them in more detail.
Child psychologist
A child psychologist is a mental health professional who has the responsibility of helping children and teens with emotional, behavioral or developmental issues. Child psychologists work with families, schools and other government agencies to help these children improve their ability to function and get back on track in life. Child psychologists must master a wide variety of skills, such as communicating effectively, listening closely and observing closely.
Social worker
A social worker is concerned with improving the wellbeing of the community, including families and children. Social workers help these people develop the tools to live better lives. This may include helping patients and others find housing and provide for their families, assisting with job training, finding medical care, and much more. To work as a social worker, you must have an undergraduate degree in social work or a related field. There are also numerous certification options available.
Children’s librarian
Working as a children’s librarian is a great way to work with kids and help them discover the enjoyment of reading. This job requires you to be an enthusiastic reader and good at sharing your love of books with others. Helping children find new books and reinforcing their love for reading will be an important part of your job. This can be a rewarding and challenging career where you need to organize, manage, implement, and evaluate strategies to improve the reading program of the library in which you work.
ABA therapist
An ABA therapist is tasked with the responsibility of developing and delivering treatment plans to help improve a child’s communication skills and behavior. In the past few years, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has risen dramatically, which has made ABA therapists very busy. These professionals help children with behavior issues that result from anxiety-related disorders, injuries, developmental disabilities, and more. To work as an ABA therapist, you must complete a master’s degree program in psychology and behavior analysis, including a practicum. You must also pass the Board-Certified Behavior Analyst exam.
Teaching assistant
Teaching assistants work in an educational setting to assist teachers with classroom management and instructional support. Working as a teaching assistant can be extremely rewarding and challenging at the same time. To be a successful teaching assistant, you must be organized, patient, and willing to learn from other teachers and co-workers. This can be a quiet, sometimes demanding career where you will have to be able to prioritize tasks, juggle multiple tasks, and manage your time.
Pediatrician
A pediatrician is a doctor who works with children and infants. Pediatricians perform a wide range of procedures, diagnoses and treatments that can range from minor to more complex. Additionally, pediatricians work closely with parents to ensure that they are providing their children with the healthcare they need. Pediatricians need patience, compassion, and empathy in order to be successful. To work as a pediatrician, you must complete an undergraduate degree in biology or other related fields as well as a medical degree at the Doctor of Medicine (MD) level.
Juvenile justice lawyer
A juvenile justice lawyer is primarily concerned with the criminal prosecution of juveniles who have committed juvenile crimes. Juvenile justice lawyers work with children to find a way to help both the child and the community. To be successful in this role, you would need to have completed an undergraduate degree, obtained a law degree, passed the bar exam, and be admitted by the state bar.
Nanny
A nanny is an employee who takes care of children. Nannies take care of their employers’ children either in their own homes or in a daycare environment. This can be a rewarding and challenging career where you will have to be non-judgmental, family focused, and creative with problem-solving.
This profession is a great way to work with kids, learn about them and help them grow. Nannies provide care for children in the comfort of their own homes, enabling you to work at your own pace. To be a nanny, you need to have childcare experience and training, and CPR certification. You should also provide your family background information, which includes information on past employment as well as references from other families with whom you worked.
Pediatric nutritionist
A pediatric nutritionist is a medical professional who works to improve the nutritional health of children. To do this, a pediatric nutritionist must diagnose nutritional deficiencies and disorders in children, and then work with parents to provide effective nutrition for their kids. Pediatric nutritionists should have an understanding of both traditional and integrative approaches to treating children’s nutritional problems.
Pediatric dentist
A pediatric dentist is a dental medical professional who specializes in the treatment of children’s oral health and development. As a pediatric dentist, you must be able to provide care for children with all levels of complexity, from acute injuries to more complex developmental problems. A pediatric dentist should combine the skills of a general dentist with those of a child psychologist, and they must have an understanding of how children learn best and interact with their environment.
Speech-language pathologist
A speech-language pathologist is a medical professional who helps children and adults with speech disorders. Children who have a speech disorder can suffer both social isolation and communication challenges. A speech-language pathologist should have an understanding of both traditional and integrative approaches to treating children’s communication challenges.
Teacher
A teacher guides, instructs, and educates others. The most rewarding part of this job is watching your students’ faces light up with wonder when they learn something new, or listening to them read to you with amazement as they come up with their own words. Effective teachers must have patience, a love of learning, and the ability to bring out the best in students. A special bond must be forged between teacher and child so that they can feel comfortable approaching their mentor with a problem or a question.
Marriage and family therapist
A marriage and family therapist is a medical professional who helps individuals work through their relationship issues. Family therapy is useful for couples with any number of problems, including depression, anxiety, communication, and financial difficulties. Therapy is often referred to as ‘talking therapy’ because the therapist helps individuals find their own voice when faced with conflict and change in their lives.
Marriage and family therapists work by taking a holistic approach to their work, including the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health of their patients. To be successful in this career, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree as well as a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
Get ready to pursue a career and work with kids!
Children are our future. They are the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and makers. It is essential that we invest in them and help them grow into responsible and successful adults. A career working with children is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers you can choose. If you love working with children and are looking for a career that will make a difference in their lives, then a child-oriented career might be the right path for you.
If you are interested in pursuing a career working with kids, there are many jobs that may be right for you. Whether you decide to focus on working with children in a school, youth organization, daycare center or community, you will need to enroll in a degree program that prepares you to work with children and youth. If you are unsure what path is right for you, think about your values, strengths, and personality traits.
