Early childhood an important career for men too
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PhD student Luke Touhill |
Early childhood is one of the few professions in which the gender balance is extreme. Macquarie University PhD student Luke Touhill is an exception to the rule having worked in the field for almost 15 years.
Why early childhood?
Upon leaving school Touhill was keen to work with disabled children following the lead of his mother who was a teacher of the deaf. With special education study only available to postgraduates, Touhill enrolled in a Diploma of Education at the Institute of Early Childhood as he believed this to be the best preparation for working with children with additional needs. After commencing the program Touhill soon came to realise that working in early childhood was the path he wanted to follow.
You're a teacher?
Thanks to the female dominance of his profession, Touhill has experienced some interesting reactions to his presence in a child care facility.
"I'm often asked whose dad I am, and occasionally I just get a look of complete amazement when I explain that I'm actually a teacher," Touhill says. "I think you need to have a sense of humour, in that people will often make comments that could be taken in an offensive way, even though they're usually unintentional. Generally, I have found that once people get over their initial surprise, and see that you actually know what you are doing, they are fine."
Men in early childhood
Touhill believes that it is important for men to work in the early childhood sector as it helps children develop a more balanced view of life but he is also wary of placing too much emphasis on the male role model theory.
"I can remember one little girl at a centre I worked in who as she played with her dolls at home would pretend that she was 'Luke with the babies'," explains Touhill. "That's probably not the kind of role modelling most people think of when they talk about the importance of male role models."
A rewarding career
Today Touhill works as a centre consultant for KU Children's Services and manages 17 preschools and long day care centres in the area of Western Sydney. He hopes to complete his PhD later this year.
"Although it sounds clichéd, the most rewarding thing about working in early childhood education is simply the opportunity to observe and be part of children's learning and development," says Touhill. "There is something about children's learning at this age, when everything is new and exciting, that is infectious. As an adult it is a privilege to be part of that learning."
Advice for others
"If it is something that you are genuinely interested in doing then don't be put off by other people's initial reactions," says Touhill. "As a male in early childhood you are probably always going to be a bit of a novelty, but if you can cope with that, then it can be a very rewarding experience."
For further information about a career in early childhood visit www.aces.mq.edu.au/iec or see the article on the new Master of Teaching (0-5 years) in this edition.