From “Planting Seeds” to “Taking Flight”: The 1,277-Day Journey of NTTU’s Early Childhood Education Students

After 1,277 days of studying, training, and practicing their profession, 18 K22 students majoring in Early Childhood Education at Nguyen Tat Thanh University concluded their university journey with the program “Chắp cánh những ước mơ xanh” (Wings for Green Dreams). Not only was it an occasion to look back on their path of growth, but the program also marked the readiness to enter the profession of these future teachers with a solid professional foundation, practical skills, and companionship from a network of prestigious preschool enterprises.

On the morning of June 20, 2026, at Meeting Room 2, 298B Nguyen Tat Thanh Campus, the Department of Early Childhood Education under the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, organized the program “Chắp cánh những ước mơ xanh” for final-year students of class K22.

The program “Chắp cánh những ước mơ xanh” brings together lecturers, experts, businesses, and K22 Early Childhood Education students of NTTU to look back on their learning journey and prepare to enter the profession

The program was an occasion for the University, lecturers, businesses, and students to jointly review a training journey filled with effort; it also opened up practical career connections for the Early Childhood Education graduates right before the threshold of graduation.

Attending the program were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Phuong – Vice President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University; Dr. Nguyen Thi Nha and Dr. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hien – Vice Deans of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology; Dr. Bui Thi Viet along with the teaching staff of the Early Childhood Education Department.

The program also enjoyed the companionship of teachers who have been attached to the department since its early days, such as M.A. Nguyen Lan Dung, M.A. Nguyen Hoang Phuong Thảo, M.A. Nguyen Thi Yen Linh, M.A. Nguyen Thi Nhu Truc; along with representatives from the NTTU Corporate Relations and Student Employment Department.

In particular, the event witnessed the presence of experts and managers from many prestigious early childhood education systems and internship facilities, including Hoa Ngoc Lan Early Childhood Education System, Hao Quang Education Development System, Pathway Education System, Son Ca Kindergarten, Hoa Lan Kindergarten, United Kinder Bilingual Kindergarten, and Ngoi Nha Tre Tho Kindergarten.

K22 Early Childhood Education students of NTTU excitedly participate in the review day, wrapping up their learning journey with close, bustling, and emotional moments

From the Lecture Hall to the Career: A Journey of 1,277 Days of Growth

Speaking at the program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Phuong – Vice President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University extended her congratulations to the collective of lecturers and students of the Early Childhood Education Department and the partner units that have accompanied the University throughout the training process, while emphasizing the strategic role of early childhood education in the national education system.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Phuong – Vice President of Nguyen Tat Thanh University delivers a congratulatory speech, recognizing the efforts of the lecturers and students of the K22 Early Childhood Education class

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lan Phuong, in the context of educational reform and international integration, preschool teachers should not just stop at child care duties but need to become professional educators possessing modern pedagogical thinking, the capacity to design positive learning environments, and the ability to adapt to advanced educational methods. This is also the training orientation that Nguyen Tat Thanh University is pursuing: building a team of preschool teachers with a firm professional foundation, comprehensive occupational skills, and a lifelong learning spirit, ready to meet the increasingly high demands of society.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Nha – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology sends her trust, empowering K22 students to confidently step into their career journey

Continuing the program, Dr. Nguyen Thi Nha – Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology – expressed her pride in the growth of K22 students after nearly four years of study and training. She hoped that the students would always maintain their love for the profession, a spirit of learning, and perseverance to confidently enter the actual working environment.

According to Dr. Bui Thi Viet, the journey of K22 students was built on a foundation of 147 credits with blocks of knowledge ranging from psychology, pedagogy, biomedicine, and arts to early childhood education management. The training process not only helps students master the theory but also creates conditions for them to hone their trade through various practical activities, field observations, and internships at educational institutions.

During their professional practice, students had the opportunity to experience the working environment at many high-quality public kindergartens and bilingual preschool systems, such as 19/5 Kindergarten, Son Ca Kindergarten, Ban Mai Kindergarten, Hoang Gia Kindergarten, Anh Viet My Kindergarten, United Kinder Bilingual Kindergarten…

From the initial days of being bewildered when preparing lesson plans, organizing activities, or interacting with children, K22 students gradually honed their observation, communication, pedagogical problem-solving skills, and the capacity to design age-appropriate educational activities.

That 1,277-day journey was reenacted through four meaningful stages: “Gieo hạt” (Sowing Seeds) – building the foundational knowledge of psychology, education, and child development; “Vườn mầm” (The Nursery) – expanding experiences, professional exchange, and accessing new educational models; “Đón gió” (Catching the Wind) – developing artistic capacities, organizing activities, and applying modern educational methods; “Chắp cánh” (Taking Flight) – confidently practicing, interning, and preparing to assume positions at early childhood education institutions.

In addition to the domestic curriculum, the NTTU Early Childhood Education Department also facilitates students’ access to international academic exchange activities. Through a cooperation program with Aomori University, Japan, students have more opportunities to learn about educational values that emphasize independence, respect, and positive discipline in the process of accompanying children.

Professional Practice, Multi-tasking Skills, and Wide-open Job Opportunities

One of the highlights of the training program in Early Childhood Education at NTTU is the orientation of linking learning with professional practice. Students are not only equipped with professional knowledge but are also trained in activity organization capacity, artistic skills, technology application skills, and the ability to adapt to a modern educational environment.

During their studies, students gain access to educational approaches such as Montessori, STEAM, Reggio Emilia, and project-based learning. These methods provide future teachers with more tools to design suitable learning activities that foster children’s initiative, creativity, and exploration capabilities.

In particular, more than 150 homemade teaching tools from recycled materials created by K22 students demonstrated their creative spirit, environmental awareness, and capability to transform familiar materials into useful educational tools. This is also a vivid testament to the training orientation that links theory with practice pursued by the University.

At the career orientation session, K22 students listened to practical insights shared by principals, directors of preschool systems, and corporate representatives. Stories regarding recruitment requirements, adaptability skills, professional attitudes, and growth opportunities in the field of early childhood education helped students form a clearer picture of the journey ahead.

Not only equipped with pedagogical knowledge, NTTU Early Childhood Education students also cultivate artistic ability, communication skills, activity organization, and the self-confidence necessary for a modern preschool teacher

Experts assess that modern preschool teachers need to be flexible and multi-tasking: they should be able to organize educational activities, utilize music and movement in teaching, apply technology, communicate effectively with parents, cooperate with colleagues, and early identify signs that require attention in child development to offer appropriate support.

With such equipment, graduates of Early Childhood Education at NTTU can not only assume teaching duties at preschool facilities but also have various other development choices, such as managing classroom groups, participating in educational consulting activities, research, developing learning materials, or continuing higher education.

Notably, 100% of K22 Early Childhood Education students secured employment prior to the official receipt of their graduation diplomas. Many students were recruited and signed working contracts by educational institutions and kindergarten school systems right after their internship and field observation periods, where they successfully demonstrated their professional competencies.

This outcome is a positive signal showing the alignment between the training curriculum and the actual demands of the labor market; it also reflects the effectiveness of the connection model between the University, lecturers, and enterprises in the process of training students.

Bouquets and gifts were presented by K22 students as a token of gratitude to the teachers, internship units, and partners who accompanied them throughout their 1,277-day journey of growth

“Chắp cánh những ước mơ xanh” with Love and Responsibility

More than just a closing program, “Chắp cánh những ước mơ xanh” was also an emotional space of gratitude. On behalf of K22 students, a representative expressed gratitude to the Board of Presidents, faculty leadership, lecturers, partner kindergartens, and internship units – those who accompanied, guided, and created conditions for them to grow up throughout their learning journey.

Fresh bouquets of flowers and souvenirs presented were sincere tokens of gratitude dedicated to the teachers and enterprises that contributed to building a firm professional foundation for the students.

On behalf of the Early Childhood Education Department, Dr. Bui Thi Viet sent a message to the future teachers: “Being a preschool teacher is not simply teaching children how to sing or draw, but gathering the smallest pieces of love to give wings to children’s dreams to fly high.”

Closing the program, the 1,277-day journey of K22 Early Childhood Education students at NTTU has become a memorable milestone. From the first hesitant days entering the lecture halls to the hours of practice and internship at kindergartens, the students have accumulated knowledge, skills, and professional courage to stand ready for a new chapter.

With a love for children, a sense of responsibility, and the preparation nurtured by the practical training environment at NTTU, these K22 “green sprouts” today will continue to spread the values of education, nurturing confidence, happiness, and early life dreams for future generations of children.

Dr. Bui Thi Viet – Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology

Photos: Media