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ESCO occupation

primary school teaching assistant

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Primary school teaching assistants provide instructional and practical support to primary school teachers. They reinforce instruction with students in need of extra attention and prepare the materials the teacher needs in class. They also perform clerical work, monitor the students' learning progress and behaviour and supervise the students with and without the head teacher present.

5312.2 ISCO 5312 ESCO source
Competences
42
Groups
4
Essential
18
Optional
24

Competences and skills

42 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 1 competence

Occupation specific

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Sector-specific

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Cross-sector

1 competence
primary school procedures

The inner workings of a primary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.

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Essential skills and competences 17 competences

Occupation specific

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Sector-specific

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Cross-sector

17 competences
assist children in developing personal skills

Encourage and facilitate the development of children's natural curiosity and social and language abilities through creative and social activities such as storytelling, imaginative play, songs, drawing, and games.

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assist students in their learning

Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.

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assist students with equipment

Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.

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attend to children's basic physical needs

Tend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.

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encourage students to acknowledge their achievements

Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.

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give constructive feedback

Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.

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guarantee students' safety

Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.

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handle children's problems

Promote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental disorders including depression, and anxiety disorders.

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implement care programmes for children

Perform activities with children according to their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs by using appropriate tools and equipment that facilitate interaction and learning activities.

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maintain students' discipline

Make sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.

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manage student relationships

Manage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.

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perform playground surveillance

Observe students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.

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prepare youths for adulthood

Work with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.

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provide lesson materials

Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.

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provide teacher support

Assist teachers in classroom instruction by providing and preparing lesson materials, monitoring the students during their work and helping them in their learning where necessary.

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support children's wellbeing

Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.

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support the positiveness of youths

Help children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.

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Optional knowledge 9 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
instructional strategies

The techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.

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social development

The learning process of a child through social interaction. Among the various activities that it encompasses, social development supports children in obtaining and fortifying learning skills and having positive attitudes.

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Cross-sector

7 competences
common children's diseases

The symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of diseases and disorders that often affect children, such as the measles, chickenpox, asthma, the mumps, and head lice.

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curriculum objectives

The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

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disability types

The nature and types of disabilities affecting the human beings such as physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional or developmental and the specific needs and access requirements of disabled people.

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first aid

The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

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learning difficulties

The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.

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teamwork principles

The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

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workplace sanitation

The importance of a clean, sanitary workspace for example through use of hand disinfectant and sanitizer, in order to minimise infection risk between colleagues or when working with children.

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Optional skills and competences 15 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
assess the development of youth

Evaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.

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facilitate teamwork between students

Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.

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provide after school care

Lead, supervise or help with the assistance of indoor and outdoor recreational or educational activities after school or during school holidays.

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teach primary education class content

Instruct primary school students in the theory and practice of a variety of subjects, such as mathematics, languages, and nature studies, building the course content based on students' existing knowledge and encouraging them to deepen their understanding on the subjects they're interested in.

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Cross-sector

11 competences
advise on lesson plans

Advise on the ways in which lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved in order to reach education goals, engage the students and adhere to the curriculum.

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assess students

Evaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.

Scope note
The skill applies to all educational levels such as primary, secondary, post-secondary and tertiary education.
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consult students on learning content

Take students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.

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escort students on a field trip

Accompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.

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liaise with educational support staff

Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues relating the students' well-being.

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maintain relations with children's parents

Inform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.

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organise creative performance

Organise an event in which participants can express their creativity, such as putting on a dance, theatre, or talent show.

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perform classroom management

Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.

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prepare lesson content

Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.

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promote the safeguarding of young people

Understand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.

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work with virtual learning environments

Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.

digital
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