EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The students in the Early Childhood Education Program are shaping young minds everyday! By partnering with our preschool, middle school, and elementary buildings, students have the opportunity to experience the classroom first hand. By assisting the general education teacher, they learn how to properly engage with students, implement lesson plans and behavior management strategies, and grow as a professional. 

While taking four courses over their junior and senior year, they will study the Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Development of children birth through adolescence. They will also learn about various theorists who have shaped the field of education. The students will be required to compose a professional portfolio which will include lesson plans, in-service training, sample work, resumes, classroom management ideas, bulletin board modules, etc. Students will gain hands-on experience in a classroom with a certified teacher and will be supervised and evaluated by that particular teacher and the Early Childhood Education Instructor.

COURSES OFFERED:

Junior Level

Foundations of Education and Training:

Students will examine the goals of education and training as well as environments in which education and training are delivered. They will identify learners’ and stakeholders’ roles, rights and responsibilities in educational systems; assess legal and ethical issues related to education; and determine careers of interest in education and training. Employability skills and state requirements for becoming an educator will also be addressed.

Child and Adolescent Development:

Students will examine and apply the theoretical foundations of human growth and development to children and adolescents. Additionally, learners will determine children’s learning styles; stages of social, emotional, cognitive and physical development; and needed accommodations in educational settings. Throughout the course, family and community engagement, cultural influences on learners and language growth and development will be emphasized.

Senior Level

Classroom Management:

Students will apply developmentally appropriate techniques to advance learners’ social and emotional growth. They will create classroom environments to maximize the learning potential of each learner. Additionally, students will create and enforce classroom rules, establish classroom routines, and model self-discipline for learners. Conflict resolution, positive discipline and behavioral-modification techniques will be emphasized throughout the course.

Early Childhood Education Principles:

Students will examine the history and philosophy of early childhood education, types of early childhood programs, and the roles, rights and responsibilities of learners and stakeholders in early childhood education. Students will assess developmentally appropriate practices; legal, ethical and organizational issues; and the challenge of teaching and caring for young children with diverse needs. Career planning and professionalism will also be emphasized throughout the course.