Description
Plan and deliver play-based instruction for young children to promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth; assess development, partner with families, and maintain a safe, inclusive learning environment aligned to early learning standards.
- • Provide varied, developmentally appropriate materials for exploration and imaginative play.
- • Attend to children's basic care needs, including feeding, toileting/diapering, and dressing.
- • Teach early literacy, numeracy, color and shape recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- • Establish and model positive behavior expectations and classroom routines.
- • Read aloud to whole groups and small groups to build language and a love of books.
- • Plan and lead activities that support physical, mental, and social development, including games, arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and outdoor play.
- • Observe and document children's performance, behavior, social development, and health.
- • Identify signs of developmental, emotional, or health concerns and communicate with supervisors, families, and specialists.
- • Meet with families to discuss progress, goals, and strategies to support learning at home.
- • Follow all program, licensing, and safety policies and procedures.
- • Prepare the classroom environment and materials for daily activities.
- • Teach healthy eating habits and personal hygiene practices.
- • Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines and allergy plans.
- • Welcome children at arrival, assist with transitions, and guide them to engaging activities.
- • Adapt instruction and materials to meet diverse needs and interests.
- • Set clear learning objectives aligned to early learning standards and share them with children and families.
- • Demonstrate and scaffold activities to support skill development.
- • Arrange indoor and outdoor spaces to promote creative play, motor development, and safety.
- • Maintain accurate attendance, assessment, and health records per policy and regulation.
- • Prepare required reports on student progress and classroom activities.
- • Plan balanced instruction, exploration, and investigation that encourages observing, questioning, and problem-solving.
- • Organize and label materials and display children's work appropriately for their ages.
- • Participate in professional development, trainings, and conferences to improve practice.
- • Collaborate with colleagues to plan and schedule lessons aligned to approved curricula.
- • Supervise, coach, and assign tasks to assistants and volunteers.
- • Contribute to the development, evaluation, and revision of early childhood programs.
- • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
- • Consult with other professionals to discuss individual children's needs and progress.
- • Plan and supervise projects, field trips, and guest visits, and guide reflection on those experiences.
- • Select, order, store, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
- • Provide appropriate accommodations and assistive technology to support children with disabilities.
- • Support non-instructional duties such as arrival and dismissal, playground, and mealtime supervision.
- • Conduct developmental screenings and formative assessments to inform instruction.
- • Implement targeted interventions and small-group support for children needing extra help.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
