By Leslie Doyle | 06/16/2025
Research shows that preschool helps set children up for academic success. Early childhood education ( ECE) pays off throughout their academic journey.
Next to parents and guardians, preschool teachers, teacher assistants, and teacher aides are therefore some of the most influential figures in kids’ lives. Each has unique responsibilities.
Meanwhile, preschool teaching staff members provide the foundational education needed to excel throughout childhood and in other stages of life. Teaching kids is a complex job, however. Children all have different learning styles and preferences, which necessitates a personalized learning method.
From writing lesson plans to coordinating training programs, teachers have endless responsibilities, even in early childhood education. The purpose of the teacher’s assistant position is to help shoulder some of those responsibilities.
There’s no substitute for a proper education, especially during a child’s early years. The work of preschool teachers and preschool teachers’ assistants has a lasting impact that benefits their communities for years.
The Advantages of Early Childhood Education
A nonprofit research and policy organization, the Learning Policy Institute, conducted an in-depth review of preschool programs at 21 public schools. They found the short- and long-term benefits of early childhood education.
For example, children who attend high-quality preschools are better prepared for elementary school than kids with little to no preschool education. Preschool-educated children develop literacy and math skills, and they are also less likely to need special education. In addition, kids who attend preschool are more productive in adulthood and less likely to be unemployed or incarcerated, according to the Institute’s research.
Preschool Teacher Assistant Responsibilities
Preschool teacher assistants play a central role in early childhood education. They provide extra adult supervision and help with classroom management.
They also support preschool teachers as they coordinate age-appropriate activities and lesson plans for their students. Together, preschool teachers and their assistants use their knowledge of early child development to help further children’s social skills and foster intellectual growth.
Also called “teacher aides,” preschool teacher assistants work closely with other early childhood educators to manage day-to-day activities within the classroom. These professionals offer a supportive school environment for young minds to thrive. Preschool teacher assistants work directly with children in private and public schools to help them learn important skills in preschool, such as:
- Writing basic letters and numbers
- Counting
- Identifying colors and shapes
- Basic hygiene
Additionally, preschool teacher assistants work with early childhood educators to help students learn rudimentary social skills. For example, preschools integrate countless lesson plans and activities designed to encourage listening, taking turns, and sharing. Throughout the day, preschool teacher assistants also help children learn to complete daily tasks – such as putting on their coats or cleaning up toys – independently.
Another important aspect of a preschool teacher assistant’s job is helping with classroom logistics. Preschool teachers may delegate school-related tasks to this type of helper, like stocking supplies, organizing class materials, and helping to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
Nonetheless, preschool teacher assistants and teacher aides work closely with students to nurture their social development and provide critical emotional support. As children take their first steps towards independence, these workers help encourage their students’ growth through helpful guidance, care, and kindness.
Essentially, a preschool teacher assistant’s job is to help foster positive interactions between children, families, and educators.
Furthermore, there’s a reason why early childhood educators are required to undergo criminal background checks. Unlike most other occupations, ECE positions require educators to have these background checks to help ensure students’ safety and wellbeing.
Naturally, preschool teacher assistants have a considerable amount of responsibility at school. Their primary duties include:
- Coordinating educational activities and lesson plans with teachers
- Creating and handing out worksheets
- Introducing preschool students to learning concepts appropriate for early childhood
- Updating attendance records daily
- Providing supervision to keep children safe, whether on school grounds or field trips
- Supporting the lead teacher with detailed information about each child's developmental progress
- Assisting the lead teacher in communicating with parents, especially students of parents who are not fluent in the English language
- Assisting with overall classroom management
Advice About Being a Preschool Teacher Assistant
What is it really like to work closely with preschoolers, and how can you best support child development in this role? For answers to these questions, we turned to American Public University (APU) Human Development and Family Studies Department Chair Kathy Mangeri.
Mangeri has over 30 years of experience working in childhood education and has also taught students of all ages, ranging from preschool through college. We posed several questions to her about the preschool teacher assistant job title and what the role entails.
APU: What would people who are new to the role find most surprising about being a preschool teacher assistant?
Mangeri: What is most surprising is how different each child really is and how early their unique personalities develop. Physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development continue to happen rapidly in early childhood.
While some children are busy perfecting their physical skills, others are practicing their language skills or learning to interact with others. The range of abilities that can be found in the same classroom can sometimes be astounding. For most children, all of these abilities are within developmental norms.
APU: How do early childhood educators and preschool teacher assistants find joy and excitement on the job?
Mangeri: There is no doubt that working with young children can be challenging, but it is also very fulfilling. Embrace every day as a new adventure and take time to view the world through the lens of a child. Preschoolers are curious about everything and eagerly absorb information around them.
Take pleasure in the small wins. Treasure it when a painfully shy child finally engages in play with another child.
Pat yourself on the back when the child who cries every morning runs into class smiling and greets you. Your whole day can brighten when a spontaneous hug and “I love you” comes your way.
APU: What advice would you give to new preschool teacher assistants and other early childhood educators?
Mangeri: Most importantly, you should practice self-care, so that you can be your best self. Being in a preschool classroom requires a high energy level. Being well rested, managing your stress, and maintaining your health helps you continue to find joy and excitement on the job.
APU: How can teacher assistants work with lead teachers in adapting to a child's individual learning style?
Mangeri: As you and the lead teacher work together, you will get into a rhythm as you learn how each student responds to different teaching styles. Eventually, you will intuitively know which children need assistance and how to best assist them. Also, it is always okay to ask how you can best support the lead teacher for the day.
As the school year progresses, you will become increasingly familiar with each child’s learning style. You will recognize that some children learn best when you show them how to do something, while others prefer to figure it out themselves. Building a rapport with each child will go a long way in helping you to know how your teaching best supports individual learning.
APU: What advice do you have for early childhood educators and teacher assistants when it comes to resolving conflicts in the classroom?
Mangeri: Resolving conflicts between children requires a very different approach from typical classroom teaching. Preschool-age children are still learning what behavior is expected of them and how to manage their emotions. Early childhood educators should approach conflict resolution in a developmentally appropriate manner.
It is important to model for the children how to identify the behavior that is causing conflict and the emotions they experience as you suggest potential solutions. For example, in a scenario where two young children are arguing to play with the same toy, your conversation should begin in this way.
“I see that you and John want to play with the truck at the same time and that you are very frustrated that you cannot have it right now. Can I help you to find a different toy to play with right now or perhaps you can take turns?”
APU: How can early childhood educators resolve conflicts involving parents?
Mangeri: Good communication is key to resolving any conflict. It is important for early childhood educators to address conflicts in a timely manner to ensure they do not escalate. The conversation should take place in a private space away from children and interruptions.
Be sure to allow enough time to work through the conflict and come to a resolution. Choose a time to talk about the issue that works for both parties.
Don’t try to talk with a parent who is on the way out the door or running late for work. The conversation is not going to go well unless everybody involved can give it their undivided attention.
APU: What can teachers do to help children who are having trouble learning something? Can you describe how early childhood educators and teacher assistants can get preschoolers excited about learning?
Mangeri: Oftentimes, it is the relationship you’ve cultivated with your students that helps them to learn the concepts they struggle with. Getting to really know their likes and dislikes can help you to frame these concepts in ways that interest them.
Throughout your time in the preschool classroom, you will become an expert in dinosaurs, unicorns, princesses, cars, and every popular character imaginable. Infusing what children like into what they are learning is key. It is important to remember that play is how young children learn best.
The Early Childhood Education Degree at APU
For adult learners interested in learning more about child development and early childhood education, APU offers an online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education. In the courses for this degree program, students will discuss topics such as infant-toddler development and programs, childhood educational development, and special education for students with special needs.
For more information about this degree program – and other college coursework that may be suitable for teachers interested in professional development – visit APU’s education degree program page.
Note: This program does not award professional licensure and does not qualify you to apply for teaching licensure. These programs may be helpful in preparing to earn certain professional certifications.
Also, individual states/professional organizations often require additional hands-on training, internships, or site visits not provided by our University. It is your responsibility to become familiar with all licensure/certification requirements in the state in which you plan to seek employment or from the certification body.
