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Eced 101
This course introduces the student to the field of early childhood education and care. An overview of the field will include history and theory:; social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language and creative development of young children; how early childhood professionals and early childhood programs meet the needs of young children and their families; types and organization of early childhood programs; and characteristics of quality early care and education. Developmentally appropriate activities and materials used in the early childhood profession will be introduced. 3 credits.
Eced 102
This course focuses on the importance of assessment that is done through the techniques of observation, recording and documentation. Authentic assessment, the documentation of children’s learning in naturalistic settings and via non-numerical instruments, will be stressed. Students will learn about different methods and tools for recording observations as they complete a practicum in a local early childhood program. Using observation as a method of understanding and assessing children’s development and learning, as well as transforming the collected data into curricula and individual educational plans will be addressed. The importance of confidentiality and professional ethical behavior will also be topics of discussion. Practicum is required. 3 credits
Eced 105
This course focuses on promotion and maintenance of the health and well-being of young children. It provides an overview of the basic principles and best practices of health, safety, and nutrition utilized in early childhood settings caring for children from birth to age six. Topics covered include: common childhood illnesses and communicable diseases; preventive health and safety measures; record keeping, supervision and reporting (including mandated child abuse reporting); arrangement and maintenance of indoor and outdoor equipment; identifying nutritional needs of young children; planning nutritional and culturally sensitive snacks and meals; basic first aid and emergency procedures; recognizing the importance of fitness and providing appropriate fitness activities; and identification of dangers specific to developmental stages and individual needs. Strategies used to encourage children and families to foster life-long habits of health and well-being will also be discussed. 3 credits
Eced 201
This course is designed to help the student gain experience in the planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate creative activities in art, music, movement, food and dramatics with young children, ages 3 to 8. Thematic, integrated and culturally sensitive activities will be explored using a “hands-on” and “participatory” approach. Holistic planning and teaching will be stressed. Practicum experience is required. Prerequisite: Eced 101. 3 credits.
Eced 210
This course introduces students to the field of early childhood education and care and focuses on relationships with infants, toddlers and their families. By strengthening their observation skills, reading and discussing current research and trends in infant/toddler care, and by applying theory in field experiences, students will increase their knowledge about the developmental needs and program requirements for infants and toddlers. Students will plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities based on the needs of a specific child or group of children within their practicum setting. Special attention will be given to the following topics: nurturing respectful and responsive relationships ; development of the whole child; the child as the source for curriculum; planning intentional and purposeful interactions (the why of doing routines and activities,); and the environment as a teaching tool. Practicum required. Prerequisites: Eced 101, 102. 3 credits
Eced 212
This course provides a solid foundation in the theoretical and pedagogical underpinnings of best practices in literacy instruction with children from birth to kindergarten. Language development, a critical aspect of literacy acquisition, will be studied. The course will also emphasize the integration of children’s literature into the language arts curriculum, with a focus on listening, speaking, writing and reading, essential components of literacy. Visual literacy, a newly identified skill, will be examined. In addition, assessment methods, literacy partnerships, instructional strategies, the use of technology, and age-appropriate materials and methods will be discussed. Practicum experience required. Prerequisites: Eced 101, 102. 3 credits.
Eced 220
In this course students will acquire an understanding of the critical importance of including and supporting play in early childhood settings. They will evaluate the impact play has on children’s development, examine how children’s play can be scaffolded and evaluated in a play-based, integrated curriculum, research and design curricula which include play as an integral component, and compare the qualitative differences between indoor and outdoor play. Multi-cultural teaching and learning will also be a topic of interest as students investigate the “isms” which impact decision-making and learn to affirm culture in early childhood programs. Practicum experience required. 3 credits
Eced 230
This course covers theories of early childhood development in the areas of physical/motor, cognitive, and language development, with special emphasis given to the social and emotional domains. The importance of realistic expectations for children’s behavior will utilize this developmental context to examine practical principles and techniques for developmentally appropriate guidance. Strategies will be introduced which help children to: maintain positive social interactions through the development of pro-social skills; develop conflict resolution skills; and increase self-control, self-concept, and self-motivation skills. Pre-service teachers will design a behavior guidance plan which will be part of their teaching portfolio. Practicum experience required. 3 credits
Eced 240
This course focuses on working with young children with special needs from 0-6 years of age and provides an overview of laws, definitions, methodologies, trends, issues and research. Various categories of disabilities including physical and learning disabilities, cognitive delays, autism, behavioral disorders, attention deficit disorders, visual/hearing impairments, and giftedness will be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on learning methods for adapting home and classroom environments to meet the specific needs of identified children and developing teaching strategies that accommodate individual needs and enhance learning opportunities. Practicum experience required.
3 credits
Eced 250
The course deals with family issues affecting the young child including divorce, single-parent families, death of parent, poverty, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse physical and sexual abuse, and diverse family configurations. Current issues in family partnerships and techniques for working collaboratively with families will be explored. Students will research the various local, state and national resources currently available to assist families. In addition, students will participate in preparing and presenting a family night informational program. This course is conducted in a seminar format. Practicum experience required. 3 credits.
Eced 260
This course examines the methodology of teaching an integrated curriculum based on the emerging interests and needs of preschool children. Pre-service teachers will work with co-operating teachers to plan and implement a long-term theme or project for young children. The content areas of math, science, social studies, language arts and creative processes will be integrated utilizing discovery methods and hands-on experiences in a preschool setting. Students will observe and document the children’s learning, create a science discovery center, and collect data for documentation panels. The use of technology as a viable learning tool for young children will also be explored. This class must be taken at the conclusion of the student’s course work since it is a preparatory course for Student Teaching. The Practicum hours are included as part of this class and all students must participate at the same site. 3 credits
Eced 275. STUDENT TEACHING AND SEMINAR
This course is designed as a full-time field experience providing the student with responsibility for the day-to-day care and education of young children, ongoing assessment of children, documentation of learning, and cumulative teaching expertise. The student teaching experience for the associate degree program does not equate to the student teaching experience of the B.A. program.
Hdfr 110
A survey of the processes and outcomes of development from conception through death. Emphasis is on the interaction between individual potential and the social and natural environments. Course includes theoretical perspectives, relevant research, and issues such as child-rearing, family life, schooling, sexuality, sex-role stereotyping, and myths about maturity and aging. 3 credits. |
