Foundations Of Early Childhood

This course introduces you to the early childhood profession. Course competencies include: explore the concepts of diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias as it relates to early childhood education, investigate the history of early childhood education, examine regulatory requirements for early childhood education programs in WI, summarize types of early childhood education settings, identify the components of a quality early childhood education program, summarize responsibilities of early childhood education professionals, explore early childhood curriculum models and examine the critical role of play as it relates to developmentally appropriate practice. Students who complete the course requirements are eligible to receive the Assistant Child Care Certificate (ACCT) which potentially allows them to work at a licensed child care center starting at the age of 17. You are able to take this course before you are 17 years of age but will not receive the ACCT. In the future, if you want to obtain the ACCT you will be able to take the class again.

Career Pathways

Human Services:  Early Childhood Development and Services; Family and Community services.  Education and Training: Teaching and Training.  Health Science Technology:  Support Services. 

Standards

1.1  Analyze parenting roles across the lifespan.

          1.2  Examine parenting responsibilities through each stage of the life span.

          1.3  Identify the impact of parenting decisions on the individual, family and society.

          1.4  Discuss implications of parenting alternatives.

          2.1  Analyze current and emerging research about human growth and development, including nutrition, brain development, birth defects, labor, delivery and the postnatal period of parent and child.

         3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 Illustrate the effects of heredity and environment on infants through adolescent growth and development.

         3.2, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2   Identify key concepts of development:  social, emotion, physical and intellectual and moral development; infant through adolescent. 

         3.3. 4.3, 5.3, 6.3  Analyze the impact of social, economic, technology on individual growth and development on infants through adolescent development.

        3.4, 4.4, 5.4, 6.4 Identify child development theories and discuss their implications on infant through adolescent development. 

Week  1

Course Outline, Class Objectives and Expectations

Introduction to Child Care Services-History, Services, Programs

Week  2

The Center Environment-Overview, Licensing, Accommodations 

Week  3

The Children-Child Development, Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age, Observations 

Week  4

Interacting with Children- Direct & Indirect Guidance, Monitoring Behavior, Planning daily schedule, Influences, Behavioral Limits 

Week  5

Classroom Activities- Appropriate; Curriculum, activities and equipment, Theme Ideas, Activity Plans, Books 

Classroom Safety-  Safe Environment, Analyzing Center Areas, Supervision, Reporting, Evacuation Procedures

Week 6

 Health and First Aid-Contagious Diseases and Illnesses, Prevention, First Aid, CPR & Infant CPR, Transporting Children 

Week  7

Meals and Snacks- Planning menus, considerations, Eating Habits

Center Relationships- Maintaining staff relationships, Working with Parents, Dealing with Stress

Week  8

Working with Children- Arranging Placement Sites, Preparing Students for Participation Experience 

Week  9

Professional Development- Skills and Abilities,  State Licensing Rules, Further Opportunities for Education