Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Foster developmentally appropriate literacy practices for the birth through age 5 populations in child care, and early childhood through preschool classrooms. Techniques supporting speaking, listening, writing and reading are introduced, and children's literature is emphasized. 25 field hours required. Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).

Learn how to foster in young children a curiosity about their natural and physical worlds; use a hands-on/minds-on approach to planning and teaching science content; organize science instruction so that it meets recommended national, state and district standards; assess a young child's science learning in developmentally appropriate ways; and model their own curiosity about science matters as adults learners. Includes adapting materials, equipment and the environment to meet diverse learning needs. (Requires 30 hours of practicum in PreK - 3rd grade classrooms).

Develop and implement learning experiences for preprimary and primary children with a focus on multicultural and nonsexist content that includes development of responsibility, aesthetic, artistic, physical, cognitive, emotional and social attributes. Emphasis placed on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of developmentally appropriate social studies curriculum goals, content, and teaching practices. Unstructured and structured play including games and rhythms will be stressed. Includes the adaptation of materials, equipment, and the environment to meet diverse learning needs. Admission to TEP.

Integrates drama, dance, movement, music and art into developmentally appropriate curriculum. Admission to TEP.

Teaches how to help young children make important connections among physical, pictorial, graphic, symbolic, verbal and mental representations of mathematical ideas. Incorporates constructive activities to help children develop mathematical reasoning and to understand fundamental operations as outlined in state standards for math curriculum. (Requires 30 hours of practicum in PreK - 3rd grade classrooms).

Child growth and development for infants, toddlers, preprimary and primary school children, both typical and atypical in areas of cognition, communication, physical motor, social-emotional, aesthetics and adaptive behavior. Explore individual differences in development and learning, including risk factors, developmental variations, and developmental patterns of specific disabilities and special abilities. Admission to TEP.

Study the role of health, safety, and nutrition in the growth and development of young children, and the effect of nutrition on the learning process. Focus is on the promotion of health, safety, and nutritional practices that support cognitive, social, emotional, cultural and physical development of young children birth to age 8. This includes the implementation of appropriate appraisal and management of health, safety, and nutritional concerns of young children. Procedures for children with special health care needs are incorporated. Learn how to recognize signs of neglect in young children related to nutrition i.e., physical, emotions and mental learning process including advocacy, legislation, and public policy. Admission to TEP.

This course is designed to help early educators understand the historical and philosophical basis for current practices in the field. Topics include but are not limited to a consideration of the relationship between theorists in early education and intellectual movements; historical perspectives on current issues in early childhood education; analysis of current problems and trends in the field of early childhood education.

This course will help teachers develop the ability to systematically reflect on their practice, seek feedback from colleagues, and make changes in their classroom practice. The course will help teachers identify a research question and a plan for research implementation. Methods for reviewing literature will be shared.

This course helps future leaders in the field of early childhood education to develop leadership strategies and skills such as supervising classroom practice, mentoring new and experienced teachers, evaluating and selecting curricula and assessments, developing criteria for performance standards, and planning appropriate staff development for schools and centers that serve children with and without special needs, ages birth to eight years in age. Attention will be paid to the dynamics of cross-cultural communication and the role of gender in educational administration.

This course provides students with an opportunity to learn the Project Approach. This approach allows teachers to provide experiences that motivate children and provide them with many opportunities for first-hand investigation. Topics include the phases of project implementation, the relationship of Project Approach to diverse learners, and learning standards.

This course will present theory, research in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary teaming for regular and special education professionals. Students will identify best practices in teaming. The course will explore legal aspects of service design, results for children, effects on families, and useful attitudes and skills for teaming.

This course focuses on environmental and instructional strategies that influence cognitive and intellectual development, including variations in play across cultures and between children with and without disabilities. The course investigates the relationship of play to learning and creativity in children ages birth to eight. Theory and research will be used to explore this topic.

Children naturally make meaning from their experiences, and they express this meaning in a variety of ways, including oral and written language. This course will focus on research and theory of oral and written language acquisition; the role of family, culture, and environment in language and literacy learning. The course will emphasize the social implications of oral and written language.

This course will explore theory and research regarding the development of math competencies in children ages birth to eight. The course will focus on areas of mathematical competency and processes that support children's mathematical learning. The course will consider problems and issues in contemporary programs.

This course is designed to explore theory and research regarding family diversity within the context of contemporary society. The course examines links between children's academic and social success and institutions. Issues will be examined with the goal of guiding teachers' informed decisions in today's society.

This course explores theory and practice related to integrating culturally and linguistically diverse learners into early education settings. Students will develop awareness of cultural and structural barriers to inclusive practice and will develop strategies to provide best practices for teaching in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms.

This course explores research, theories, and issues related to assessment of young children, including studying young children in their natural setting. Students will deepen their understanding of the relationship between observation, assessment, and instruction.

This course culminates the master's in early childhood education. Students who have completed ECE 607 work with their advisor to plan, implement, and report on an action research project.