Careers Helping Kids

By L. Kelley

There are many career opportunities that involve working with children, but knowing which is right for you can be a little harder. Do you want to work with young children or teens? Disabled children or foreign kids? Working with kids can be a challenge at times, but it can also be one of the most rewarding careers you can imagine!

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By L. Kelley

OverviewChildren often need help to grow into healthy, responsible adults. Depending on the child and her circumstances, this help could take the form of gentle guidance or intensive supervision. To meet the demand for people to provide these services to children and teens, a variety of career paths prepare adults to serve children in some capacity.Child Care WorkersGenerally, helping to care for children from birth to preschool, child-care workers perform a mix of care and teaching duties. The health of children is very important, and the child-care worker helps the child maintain basic hygiene, changing soiled clothing and keeping the child clean. Child care at this age also includes teaching good eating habits and age-appropriate social skills. The child-care worker spends most of his work day playing and teaching basic skills and telling stories.Speech TherapistChildren with speech problems may need the help of a speech therapist. The therapist helps children in several ways, including language skills, speech techniques and helping them to understand the conditions that cause speech difficulties. In a “group therapy” setting, children are able to share experiences with others. The therapist addresses issues such as the fear and anxiety the children suffer as a result of their conditions.PediatricianPediatricians are medical doctors who care for children from birth to around age 18. They provide wellness education as well as the treatment of injuries or illnesses throughout childhood. Pediatricians provide immunizations and offer support to parents concerning issues of growth and development.Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)Court-Appointed Special Advocates are appointed by judges to protect the rights of neglected and abused children. The CASA volunteer is assigned to only one child, and keeps a diligent watch on court and social service proceedings, as well as monitoring the effects of foster care.Social WorkerChild social workers often work with parents, guardians and teachers to help see that a child reaches age-appropriate goals, both academically and socially, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They also handle behavior problems and issues such as teen pregnancy.ResourcesreferenceKidzWorld.comreferenceYouthNoise.comreferenceBureau of Labor Statistics

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REFERENCE/RESOURCE: KidzWorld.com
REFERENCE/RESOURCE: YouthNoise.com
REFERENCE/RESOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics