There’s no denying that parents tend to be the most influential individuals when it comes to a child’s life and education, but teachers definitely come in at a very close second. In fact, recent research suggests that teachers are the main people outside of the home that can have a serious impact on the wellbeing of children that lasts for the rest of their lives. And, the effects that a teacher can have on a child go far beyond their academic abilities. Here are just some of the main ways good teachers can influence children for the better.
1. Healthy Choices
There’s often nothing more important than our health in our lives, and our diets are the one thing that impacts our health the most. Eating choices are one of the many behaviors that teachers can have a huge impact on in a child’s life as they grow, by helping to foster good habits and choices early in the child’s life that will last well into adulthood. There have been several studies to suggest that educators in early childhood who promote healthy eating choices and habits will help kids make better choices with their diets for many decades to come.
2. Future Earnings
A huge joint study carried out by Columbia and Harvard Universities over a twenty-year timespan with 2.5 million students involved found that bad teachers can actually cost students money over their lifetimes. In fact, kids who have good teachers tend to end up earning more money in their adult lives because they score better on tests and are more likely to both go to college and do well with their choice of degree. And, the rates of teen pregnancy were lower among those who had good teachers, giving kids the chance to further educate themselves as young adults before settling down to have a family.
3. Better Long-Term Performance
Teachers who have high expectations for their students and motivate them to meet these expectations in a positive way will help them achieve higher goals and do better overall when it comes to both academic and career performance. A positive example set by teachers who have high expectations of their students will influence students to perform better and has a knock-on effect on many different areas of their lives. If you want to be this person, a Bank Street Early Childhood Education degree can help you get started.
4. Improved Mental Health
Students who have teachers who actively support their mental health and are always there to lend a listening ear in times of trouble are more likely to grow up seeking help for the issues that they encounter, leading to improved mental health overall. This is especially important for students in families where mental health might not get the attention that it deserves and who often turn to teachers to support them when they run into problems. From an early age, the teacher can show the child that talking about things is nothing to be ashamed of and can actually make things better.
Do you want to have a positive impact on children’s lives now and in the future? Why not become a teacher?
