Early Childhood Education

Study of effective development in infancy and toddlerhood. Emphasis is placed on experiences and techniques or use in the home and child care setting which will foster self-concept and social interactions for children from birth to three years of age.

Study of the role of play as it affects the social, emotional, and physical and intellectual growth and development of infants and toddlers.

Course studies social, emotional, language, and sensorimotor development in infancy. Emphasis is placed on facilitating optimum infant and toddler development.

Focuses on professional issues in Early Childhood Education including ethical guidelines and other professional guidelines and standards related to practice; professional organizations and activities; principles of effective leadership and advocacy for young children and for the profession; and relevant public policy at the local, state, and national levels.

This course focuses on the characteristics, training, and educational needs of children with disabilities including children who are gifted. It explores the existing educational agencies, programs, and instructional methods designed for children with disabilities.

A study of effective communication with children in guiding behavior. Emphasis will be placed on techniques which help children build positive self-concepts and individual strengths within the context of appropriate limits and discipline. The study includes uses of direct and indirect guidance techniques as well as introduction to guidance systems.

This course focuses on how to observe, document, and assess the growth and development of young children in early care and education settings. Students learn and practice a variety of appropriate observation techniques, documentation methods, and assessment strategies and tools. Students are introduced to the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment for young children. Confidentiality and assessment partnerships with families and other professionals are also explored. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 200 and ECE 204 and ECE 250 and ECE 251.

Working in a preschool setting with young children under the supervision of a master teacher, planning and implementing activities. Practicum will normally be taken during the final year of the child development program. Law requires a TB test prior to enrollment. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 250 and ECE 251 and ECE 262.

This course focuses on adapting typical early childhood curricula to meet the needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 200 and ECE 250.

Introduces students to early childhood education. Course deals with the total preschool program including types, objectives, philosophy, curriculum, physical plant, and equipment, as these aspects of the program relate to the needs and interests of the preschool child.

This course will consist of methods of planning and teaching curriculum for children three to five years old. Included will be curriculum development, children's play, lesson planning, and daily scheduling. Emphasis on art, science, literature, music, language, blocks, dramatic play, etc. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 250.

Course focuses on the four areas of Language Arts: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Through a hands-on and interactive approach, students will explore the process of combining quality practices with specific materials and strategies focused on language and literacy development. In addition, students will examine the fundamentals of oral language and literacy-rich environments supported by the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are predictive of later success in learning to read and write. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 250.

This course will focus on current theories of play interpretation, examination of the nature of creative expression, and use of materials and activities to support the aesthetic domain of young children. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 250 and ECE 251 and ECE 262.

This course will focus on social studies in early childhood education. Students will review the philosophical backgrounds of the Early Childhood Movement: growth, development, and learning patterns of children, birth through 5 years of age. Strategies of teaching and evaluating young children and reporting growth and development to parents will also be examined. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 200 and ECE 250 and ECE 251 and ECE 262.

This course will focus on the examination of curriculum areas (e.g. math, science, nutrition, and safety) and planning, implementation, and evaluation of activities. An emphasis will be placed on developmentally appropriate materials and learning experiences and working with special populations within the parameters of the curriculum. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 200 and ECE 250 and ECE 251 and ECE 262.

This course will focus on the examination of managerial principles, skills, knowledge, and philosophy required of administrators of early childhood programs. This course also investigates basic principles involved in establishing and operating learning centers for young children. Prerequisite: Must have completed ECE 200 and ECE 204 and ECE 210 and ECE 250 and ECE 251 and HDFS 202.

This course will prepare students for ECE 493 Supervised Internship in an approved early childhood setting. The focus of the seminars will include the development of a portfolio focused on NAEYC's Six Processional Standards and Competencies to include program planning, implementation, guidance, and working with families. Prerequisite: Program Supervisor and Teaching Education Committee Approval, and must be enrolled in ECE 493 Supervised Internship in ECE.

Working in a preschool setting with young children under the supervision of a master teacher, planning and implementing activities. Practicum will normally be taken during the final year of the child development program. Law requires a TB test prior to enrollment. Prerequisite: Must have completed the ECE AA and be authorized to student teach in ECE by the Teacher Education Committee by applying by Sept. 15 or Feb. 15 the preceding semester.