ECE - Early Childhood Education

Course provides the student with a knowledge base of the history, theory, philosophies, and foundations of early childhood education (Birth - Age 8). Course also provides students with foundational knowledge regarding issues surrounding early childhood special education. Students examine family, community, and cultural influences on development of the young child, consider trends and threats to relationships and cultural id entity, and explore the topic of ethics including ethical behavior and practices in the classroom setting and community. Topics also include the roles and responsibilities for the Early Childhood Education professional, integrating the influences of history and philosophy with an emphasis on issues of professionalism, ethics, and program types. Field experience required.

Examination of age-appropriate physical, cognitive, adaptive, language, social/emotional and motor development of children prenatal to age eight years.  Course explores both typical and atypical development and includes the importance of sensory and temperament awareness.  Overview of public health, safety, and nutritional needs and physical well-being of young children birth to 8 years old is explored.  Consideration of public health issues and safety procedures within early childhood settings is also examined.

Overview of the exceptional learner (birth to age 8), one who differs from the average or the norm, with emphasis on observation, techniques, characteristics, identification, interventions, and programming. Areas of exceptionality include, but are not limited to the following: ADHD, autism, dyslexia, gifted, etc. Topics include ethics, referral and reporting procedures, and collaboration with families and other professionals. Students learn about applicable federal and state laws and requirements for providing services to children with special needs including, but not limited to, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Individualized Family Service Plans, Individualized Education Plans, and 504 Plans. Field experience required.

Overview of social and emotional development in the young child birth to age eight.  Course provides research-based indicators for guiding young children in early care and a variety of education environments as it relates to child guidance and management of social and emotional behaviors.  Course provides content knowledge of the exceptional learner birth to age eight who differs from the norm with emphasis on observation, characteristics, strategies, identification, as well as process and programs to assist young children with challenging behavior.  Course includes observations, screening and assessment of children birth to age 8 who may have behavioral challenges compared to same aged peers.

Course provides scope and sequence methods for teaching and learning math and science for students who are considered both regular education and students with special education needs birth to age eight.  This course provides in-depth study of brain-compatible learning experiences, designing curriculum units, and differentiating instruction for all students.  Topics include use of knowledge and application skills to design a curriculum unit for a specific subject and age/grade level.  Use of technology will be integrated into the course curriculum with an emphasis on linking objectives to developmentally appropriate practices (NAEYC, Common Core, and INTASC National Standards).

Course provides scope and sequence methods for teaching and learning social studies and the arts for students who are considered both regular education and students with special education needs birth to age eight.  This course provides in-depth study of brain-compatible learning experiences, designing curriculum units, and differentiating instruction for all students.  Topics include use of knowledge and application skills to design a curriculum unit for a specific subject and age/grade level.  Use of technology will be integrated into the course curriculum with an emphasis on linking objectives to developmentally appropriate practices (NAEYC, Common Core, and INTASC National Standards).

Students learn the federal and state laws regarding the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), rules and regulations regarding child find, identification, and evaluation of your children birth to age eight who may need special education services.  Students examine the eligibility criteria for a young child to receive special education services under federal and state laws.  Students are provided practice in screening, evaluation, and progress monitoring of a young child using a variety of developmentally appropriate instruments and practices.  Focus is on writing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) linked to evaluation results.  Students explore using informal/formal and on-going progress monitoring assessments to evaluate children's progress (with and without disabilities) and report this information to parents/guardians/caregivers.

Course looks at research in language and literacy development, with an emphasis on effective strategies such as phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding in ages birth to age 8. Other topics include specific strategies and methods to assist the challenged learner. Field experience required.

Field placement in an approved Early Childhood site to further develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be an effective teacher/caregiver in an Early Childhood program.  Direct training and supervision provided by the on-site mentor and university supervisor. Covers ages 0-5 in an inclusive environment (NAEYC, Common Core, and INTASC National Standards).  Enrollment requires approval by Director of K/12 Partnerships.

Field placement in an approved Early Childhood site to further develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be an effective teacher/caregiver in an Early Childhood program.  Direct training and supervision provided by the on-site mentor and university supervisor.  Enrollment in student teaching requires approval of faculty advisor. Covers K-3 in an inclusive environment.

Field placement in an approved early childhood site to further develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to be an effective teacher/caregiver in an early childhood program.  Direct training and supervision provided by the on-site mentor and university supervisor.  Covers K-3 in a special education classroom.  Prerequisite: Approval by faculty advisor.