Student Teaching and Internships, Issues in

The field of early childhood education is inclusive of a variety of professional roles, but primarily consists of those who teach young learners in educational settings. Preparation of those teachers is of paramount importance since their classroom practices will potentially have a significant impact on very young children; indeed, children’s earliest educational experiences may even set the trajectory for future performance in school. Undoubtedly, then, the preparation of early childhood educators should be guided by reliable, professional knowledge of evidence-based practices. One such practice, critically important to the development and learning of future teachers for young children, is the provision of quality clinical experience. In this entry, early childhood education student teaching and internships are addressed. The terms student teaching and internships are used here ...