International article- New Zealand: The Case for Early Childhood Teachers

http://www.ei-ie.org/en/article/show.php?id=13&theme=earlychildhood&country=newzealand

this article asks and debates the question whether qualified and registered early childhood teachers be paid the same as teachers in primary and secondary schools? some people believe that the bigger the child, the more important and demanding it is to teach them. They argue that a teacher’s job becomes more difficult and the stakes are higher, the closer a child is to entering the workforce or moving on to tertiary education. Personally I strongly disagree with that train of thought. Studies show that the most critical period in the brain development of a child occurs in their first six years. Positive stimulation of the brain in these early years lays the foundation for the child’s future ability to learn, to develop language skills and to interact with others. So it is without question that childhood teachers be paid the same as teachers in primary and secondary school settings. They lay the foundation for future learning and are vital in that child's development.