Big Dreams

It started with wanting to be a housewife. I was 15. I knew that I didn't want to be a career woman in the future, instead focus more on my family. Then, I wanted to be an English teacher. My father suggested Early Childhood Education, and since I really love taking care and playing with my little sister ten years my junior, I thought "why not?" I joined the Sunday School Programme and enjoying teaching very much, I started my Diploma in Early Childhood Education after my SPM. I have not looked back ever since.

While studying, I learn about many issues in the Early Childhood field in Malaysia and realise there is so much I can do in this field.

I can teach, educating all the little ones I come across.

I can open my own center, doing things my way and not conforming to the wants and wishes of bosses. I have visited one play based school for one of my assignments and I was inspired and have been dreaming of opening one like that ever since.

I can be a special needs teacher. Although it will be very challenging, I hope to contribute to this field and gain amazing experiences in return.

I can be a lecturer, teaching future teachers and giving them the knowledge to help them be the best teachers they can be, so that in turn, they can teach and touch the lives of other children.

These are just some of my dreams. Yeah, I do dream big. I've even thought about being the Minister of Education so that I can change our education system. But the thought about being into politics just put me off. I may not achieve all my dreams, but I reach for the moon, so even if I miss, perhaps I'll catch some stars. =)

Some of the other career paths in early childhood:

- Nanny, licensed babysitter, child-care provider

- Classroom aide or assistant

- Early childhood specialist, administrator, supervisor

- Early childhood professor, researcher, scholar

- Early childhood psychologist

- Play therapist, speech therapist etc.

There is so much we can do, so much we need to, for these little ones.