Early Childhood Career Exploration Curriculum
INSPIRE.
Inspiring the next generation of educators and expanding Missouri’s early childhood workforce starts with early exposure to the field. That’s why we created a career exploration curriculum designed specifically for middle and high school students.
Through a series of interactive lessons delivered by school staff, students engage in hands-on activities, explore real-world scenarios, and begin to understand what a career in early childhood education (ECE) looks like.
EXPLORE. LEARN. LEAD.
This career exploration program does more than introduce early childhood education—it helps students grow, plan, and see new possibilities for their future.
Discover a High-Impact Career
Students explore what it’s like to work in early childhood education and care—gaining insight into the meaningful roles, daily responsibilities, and real rewards of supporting young children and their families.
Make Informed Career Decisions
By learning about real-world career pathways, including credentials like the CDA, students are better equipped to make confident decisions about their educational and professional futures.
Build Skills That Matter
Through interactive lessons and reflection, students strengthen soft skills like empathy, communication, and problem-solving—foundations for success in any career.
Easy to Implement. Designed for Impact.
This ready-to-go program built for middle schoolers (grades 6–8) and high schoolers (grades 9-12) features four engaging, 45–60-minute modules—with an optional hands-on field experience to bring learning to life. It fits right into standard classrooms using basic materials and technology already on hand.
Flexible enough to be led by counselors or classroom teachers, the program makes it simple for schools to spark interest in early childhood careers—no special setup required. Just gather your team, print your materials, and start making an impact.
Explore Early Childhood Education—One Module at a Time
Module 1
Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Students learn how early experiences shape a child’s development—and why high-quality care in the early years makes a lasting impact.
Module 2
Opportunities in Early Childhood Education: Students explore a range of career paths in the field—from lead teacher to program director—and discover how credentials like the CDA can jumpstart their journey.
Module 3
Cases in Early Childhood Education: Using real-world scenarios, students build problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they examine the kinds of challenges and decisions early educators face every day.
Module 4
Students create a personalized pathway to becoming an early childhood educator—starting with earning their CDA Credential in high school. They’ll also explore entrepreneurship opportunities, such as starting their own child care program.
Optional Module
High Impact Experience: Students can apply their learning through a supervised, hands-on experience observing and interacting with young children in a classroom setting.
Supporting Educators Every Step of the Way
Implementing our Early Childhood Education Career Exploration program is easy and effective thanks to a comprehensive support system designed with educators in mind. These strategies create a sustainable, high-quality program that empowers educators and inspires students toward meaningful careers in early childhood education.
Collaborative Team Teaching
Counselors, FACS, and CTE teachers work together to create a dynamic learning experience that fits seamlessly into homeroom or classroom time.
Comprehensive Training
Educators receive thorough training and resources to confidently deliver engaging lessons.
Proactive Problem Solving
We help identify and address potential challenges early, so implementation is smooth from day one.
Ongoing Support
Continuous mentorship and resources ensure teachers always have the guidance they need.
Regular Feedback & Improvement
Ongoing evaluations help refine the program, keeping it relevant and impactful for both educators and students.