Early Childhood Education

  • Early Childhood Education - Year 1
This year-long course begins with an introduction to personal and professional preparation for continued education, training, and careers in early childhood. Major topics of study in this course are history and trends of early childhood education, stages of child development, ranging from birth through age five, and children’s health and safety. Students are introduced to MSDH Guidelines and Regulations Governing Child Care Facilities. Other topics covered are related to the importance of observing and assessing children. Methods of child guidance techniques are also introduced in this course. Participation in a student organization is ongoing. Students will participate in field experience, internships, and job-shadowing. Students will develop skills toward meeting requirements for the CDA credential.
  • Early Childhood Education - Year 2
This course focuses on curriculum planning and the development of age-appropriate activities and lesson plans that encompass all areas of child development and administration and management techniques needed in order to operate a successful, quality child care facility. Other major topics covered in this course are related to state licensing requirements for child care facilities, management principles as a center director (including responsibilities regarding management of personnel, the facility’s physical indoor and outdoor space, inventory, record-keeping, accreditation, parental involvement, marketing, budgeting, and maintaining a healthy, effective learning environment). Students will continue to develop educational, career, and professional plans in the area of early childhood. Participation in a student organization is ongoing. Students will participate in field experience, internships, and job-shadowing. Students will continue to develop skills toward meeting requirements for the CDA credential.


Instructor

Meagan Esslinger

Hello!
I am Meagan Esslinger. I am married to Drew Esslinger and we have three children (Presley Kate, Maverick and Rhett). I have been teaching for seven years, six of those have been in the Picayune School District.
 This is my second year teaching Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Bales and I are sponsors for Family Career and Community Leaders of America. (FCCLA). I enjoy Early Childhood Education because I love teaching my students about life skills they can carry with them beyond the classroom. Even if one of my students decides not to go into the education field, they can use the information we learn in class to help them when they start a family. I love training and teaching our future teachers!

EC.E. student organization is sponsored by Mrs. Esslinger. Click on the FCCLA logo for more information.

Students begin the year by decorating teacher doors.

Custodian doors are also decorated by E.C.E. students.

A representative from Walgreen's Pharmacy spoke to Mrs. Esslingers students on the pro's and con's of childhood immunizations.