Men in Early Childhood Education: My Interview With Jason McCabe from Auckland, New Zealand by Bill James

Jason McCabe is an Early Childhood Education teacher in Auckland, New Zealand. He's got a wife and young son, and works with children over the age of 2. Here's a little more about Jason...

Q. What are the advantages of being a man in Early Childhood Education? What do men bring to classroom? 

"Men bring a different dimension to the teaching team."

Q. Why is play important for children? 

"Play is how children learn. If they are not playing they are not necessarily having fun and then not learning. Learning is fun and this is what I strive to instill into all the children I teach." 

Q. What about outside play? Is it important? 

"To develop the necessary skills one needs to be successful later at ‘big’ school. These skills and muscles are developed by playing and exploring outside, be it up a tree or on the jungle gym or in the sand pit or even just kicking a ball."

Q. What your favorite memory working with kids? 

"There are too many to just choose one, but I love it when working with challenging children and see them thrive with your interaction and warmth and kindness, showing them there are better ways to get their feelings and or ideas across to their classmates."

Q. Anything inspiring to tell anyone thinking of going into this field?

"What better place to work than a childcare center? If it is warm you can play outside and work on your tan; if it is cold hang inside by the heater; if you are stressed play with the play dough. Yes, there is paperwork, but what job doesn’t? Why not get paid to play?"