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Early childhood special educator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian,
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian
Early childhood special educator example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical early childhood special educator skills. We ranked the top skills for early childhood special educators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.0% of early childhood special educator resumes contained autism as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an early childhood special educator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 early childhood special educator skills for your resume and career

1. Autism

Here's how early childhood special educators use autism:
  • Trained paraprofessional in strategies and behavioral management with neurological conditions that included Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Collaborate for regional Autism services providers to provide coordinated and evidence based services.

2. Classroom Management

Here's how early childhood special educators use classroom management:
  • Praised for excellent classroom management with the implementation of innovative strategies that result in self-disciplined and self-motivated children.
  • Utilized effective classroom management skills to maintain positive learning environment.

3. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how early childhood special educators use cpr:
  • Assist Lead Teacher in creating lesson plans, remaining CPR and First Aid certified
  • Cared for children 3 - mos to 12 years old CPR and Heimlich Maneuver Training 9 years of Childhood Educational Training

4. Child Development

Here's how early childhood special educators use child development:
  • Provide developmentally appropriate activities based on children's interests and abilities using knowledge of child development and reflection techniques.
  • Facilitated communication with parents and provided information and guidance about all areas of child development.

5. IEP

Here's how early childhood special educators use iep:
  • Offered indirect/consultation services to general early childhood education professionals in order to meet IEP objectives in natural environments.
  • Develop IEP objectives consistent with daily instruction as provided, based on developmentally appropriate activities.

6. Child Care

Child care means the care, supervision, or guidance of a child by a person other than the child's parent, guardian, or custodian for periods of less than 24 hours. Childcare could be either center-based such as a daycare or a nursery or home-based care such as nannies or family daycare.

Here's how early childhood special educators use child care:
  • Help families and child care providers learn strategies to encourage children's development through regular visits in natural environments.
  • Lead teacher in a fast-paced child care setting for ages ranging from 6 months to 5 years.

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7. Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an early form of education that begins when a child is about five years old. During kindergarten, children learn the basic elements of reading, writing, and mathematics in addition to colors, telling time, sharing, and similar principles. Kindergarten classes are typically overseen by a single teacher who lectures on all of the subjects listed.

Here's how early childhood special educators use kindergarten:
  • Develop activities that introduce early mathematical and literary concepts in accordance with California State Educational Standards for Kindergarten.
  • Developed a kindergarten transition program and Early Childhood summer school program.

8. Early Intervention

Here's how early childhood special educators use early intervention:
  • Provide families written and oral evaluation reports and make recommendation based on best practices in the field of early intervention.
  • Provide in home early intervention via Family Guided Routine Based Strategies for birth - three years

9. Kids

Here's how early childhood special educators use kids:
  • Developed and delivered Kids Yoga class 5 mornings per week for 8 years.
  • Greeted parents and kids punctually every day, in friendly manner.

10. Learning Environment

Here's how early childhood special educators use learning environment:
  • Develop and execute developmentally appropriate activities in a creative learning environment for all children in care whether advanced or delayed.
  • Established a positive and educational learning environment that was developmentally appropriate for Preschool students.

11. Ecse

Here's how early childhood special educators use ecse:
  • Identified and obtained essential materials to equip and create the ECSE classroom.
  • Promoted parent involvement in their child s ECSE program and support services.

12. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how early childhood special educators use professional development:
  • Presented Professional Development seminar on the use of Differentiated Instruction in connection with the revised Standards of Learning for Mathematics.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development on current trends and topics related to early childhood and special education.

13. IFSP

Here's how early childhood special educators use ifsp:
  • Participated in the development and implementation of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP's).
  • Collaborated with families, therapists and service coordinators to create and monitor the IFSP.

14. Classroom Environment

Here's how early childhood special educators use classroom environment:
  • Facilitated a classroom environment planned to optimize learning.
  • Create a classroom environment that supports students' social development, communications skills, technological and sensory needs.

15. Preschool Program

Here's how early childhood special educators use preschool program:
  • Assist in guidance from the transition from preschool program to a school age program.
  • Integrated students with special needs into the mainstream preschool program.
top-skills

What skills help Early Childhood Special Educators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on early childhood special educator resumes?

Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian

Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies, Ashland University

Schools and other organizations are looking for flexibility, diversity of experiences, and technological expertise in their educators. Educational organizations have gone through a trial by fire over the past couple of years, requiring them to repeatedly make sudden, drastic changes to how they operate. These changes have relied on folks willing to blaze new paths, venture beyond their comfort zones, and use new resources as they become available. A resume that demonstrates those abilities will stand out.

What soft skills should all early childhood special educators possess?

Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian

Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies, Ashland University

Communication skills are the key soft skills for educators. The ability to communicate ensures that ideas and information are effectively presented during instruction. It also helps regulate the social tone of the learning environment and resolve classroom management issues. Of increasing importance is the ability of educators to effectively engage with their students' families. They need to demonstrate that they are ready and able to initiate contact, establish good relationships, and build trust.

What hard/technical skills are most important for early childhood special educators?

Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian

Assistant Professor of Leadership Studies, Ashland University

Beyond licensure and content area knowledge, teachers are increasingly required to have strong technical skills. As schools adopt new technologies and software to enhance students' learning, educators must integrate these resources into their instruction and troubleshoot issues that emerge. A technologically adept teacher can ensure that their students effectively engage with this new technology and serve as a mediator and facilitator of their students' learning.

What early childhood special educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Stephen Graves Ph.DDr. Stephen Graves Ph.D LinkedIn profile

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant Professor, University of Missouri

If they plan on taking a gap year before going back to grad/law school or work, it would be wise for those students to stay current. A lot can happen in a year so students would be smart to stay current in their field's professional trends. You don't want to be left behind or out of the loop with current trends in your industry. Identify the most critical skill in your field and work hard on it. Stay relevant, stay in tune with the trends, and work on your personal development.

What type of skills will young early childhood special educators need?

Michelle Sobolak Ph.D.Michelle Sobolak Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director of Teacher and Professional Education, University of Pittsburgh

All teachers need a myriad of skills to be effective educators. In addition to the traditional skills required of teachers, new graduates also need an understanding of anti-racist and culturally relevant and sustaining educational practices to improve schooling for all students, a deep understanding of child and adolescent development to guide instruction and engagement, the ability to connect with students and build strong relationships with both students and families, the ability to manage their own online presence and time online, and strong technological skills. Not only do new graduates need these skills, but current teachers also need to develop or strengthen their skill set in these areas to best support all learners and improve our school systems.

List of early childhood special educator skills to add to your resume

Early childhood special educator skills

The most important skills for an early childhood special educator resume and required skills for an early childhood special educator to have include:

  • Autism
  • Classroom Management
  • CPR
  • Child Development
  • IEP
  • Child Care
  • Kindergarten
  • Early Intervention
  • Kids
  • Learning Environment
  • Ecse
  • Professional Development
  • IFSP
  • Classroom Environment
  • Preschool Program
  • Community Resources
  • Mathematics
  • Emotional Development
  • Language Development
  • Instructional Materials
  • Standardized Testing
  • Public Schools
  • Physical Development
  • Pre-K
  • Education Plan
  • Creative Curriculum
  • Social Development
  • Learning Styles
  • ECE
  • Family Services
  • Developmental Delays
  • Student Performance
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Preschool Classroom
  • Children Birth
  • Parent Communication
  • ABA
  • Data Collection
  • Child Find
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Developmental Screenings
  • Preschool Children
  • Social Studies
  • Strategies Gold
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Curriculum Planning
  • Parent Support
  • Team Teaching

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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