Pathway Courses

Course 1 –Early Childhood Education I

The course also provides a foundation for advanced study leading to postsecondary education and careers in related fields. The course addresses early childhood care and education and development issues that include guiding the physical, cognitive, creative, social, emotional, and moral development of children. This course of study includes planning and guiding developmentally appropriate practices for working with young children including career paths, principles and theories of child development, the creation of a developmentally appropriate learning environment, collaborative relationships and guidance, lesson planning, and appropriate response to cultural diversity and students with special needs.

Course 2– Early Childhood Education 2

The course provides a history of education, licensing and accreditation requirements, and foundations of basic observation practices and applications. Early childhood care, education, and development issues are also addressed and include health, safety, and nutrition education; certification in CPR/First Aid/Fire Safety; information about child abuse and neglect; symptoms and prevention of major childhood illnesses and diseases; and prevention and control of communicable illnesses. Craft projects, observations, and guest speakers used throughout the course for creating the lab environment.

Course 3– Early Childhood Education 3

The course provides in-depth study of early brain development and its implications for early learning, appropriate technology integration, and developmentally appropriate parenting and child guidance trends. Also addressed are collaborative parent/teacher/child relationships and guidance, child directed play, the changing dynamics of family culture and diversity, the causes and effects of stress on young children, and infant nutrition. This course is a practicum placement at Centennial or Joyland Child Development Center.