Early Childhood Educators: What Are You Building Through Your Teaching?

Early childhood educators have an influence that extends beyond the lessons written in a curriculum guide. Every interaction, correction, conversation, classroom expectation, song, activity, and repeated message contributes to what young children are learning.

That influence carries responsibility.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Matthew 7:24–25 reminds us that hearing the words of Jesus and putting them into practice is the foundation of wise building.

This raises an important question for everyone who teaches young children: Are we building our educational practices on the teachings of Jesus Christ, or are we accepting worldly wisdom because it has become familiar in our profession?

A practice does not become biblical simply because it is popular, widely accepted, supported by an institution, or included in professional training.

Educational credentials demonstrate educational preparation. They do not establish biblical authority.

We must be willing to examine the underlying beliefs behind our teaching practices.

Are we teaching children to place their feelings above truth?

Are we confusing personal preference with what is right?

Are we promoting ideas simply because they are accepted by the educational community?

Are we willing to correct practices that contradict Scripture, even when doing so challenges the expectations of our workplace?

These questions apply in public schools, private schools, childcare centers, preschools, homeschool environments, churches, and every other setting where young children are taught.

I know this responsibility personally. I have worked in early childhood education, taught preschool, supported children with different learning needs, and operated childcare. I have taught many children using worldly wisdom.

I cannot rewrite those years. I can, however, acknowledge the importance of repentance, surrender, and obedience.

I do not claim to be worthy of the opportunity to teach biblical truth. I am an unworthy servant who desires to be obedient to the Father.

My commitment is to challenge and dismantle educational teachings and philosophies that contradict biblical truth, regardless of the institution in which they are presented. This is not about attacking individual educators.

It is about refusing to treat false teachings as acceptable simply because they have become institutionalized. We must examine our own teaching first.

An educator's responsibility does not end with delivering a lesson. It includes examining the foundation from which that lesson is being taught. Jesus is the Master Teacher. His words must be our foundation.

Reflection:

● What wisdom is shaping my teaching decisions?

● Am I willing to question educational practices that contradict Scripture?

● Do my words and actions demonstrate obedience to the teachings of Jesus?

● Am I willing to be corrected before attempting to correct others?

Let us not simply teach children how to build.

Let us examine the foundation on which we are teaching them to build.