Early Childhood Education Degree Curriculum

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In this course, your learners will develop the necessary skills to ensure their success in the program. They'll learn how to improve their study skills so they're able to use a number of tools that will help them be successful. This course also provides a snapshot of contemporary child care and the need for professionals as well as strategies for completing the Early Childhood Education Program as an independent learner.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner
• Assess the responsibilities of a caregiver and the changing concept of child care settings

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Information literacy is a fundamental skill of writing and recording research. In this course, your learners will learn what it means to formulate correct and effective research questions. They'll also learn how to go about conducting and refining that research for any given project.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify how to formulate focused and specific research questions and the need for information
• Explain the different types of research tools, how they’re used to conduct different searches, and how to evaluate the quality and usefulness of the information found
• Explain how to cite sources properly using various citation styles in consideration of academic integrity, plagiarism, and ethical use of resources

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Each day seems to bring more dire news about health, especially children’s health. Children are watching more television, spending more time in front of screens and spending less time engaging in physical exercise. There’s bad news about the American diet, which includes contaminated, fatty, and processed foods. We are alerted to the presence of various toxins in our air, water, soil, and food. This means higher rates for cancer, heart disease, childhood obesity, and diabetes. We aren’t in very good shape, and children are inheriting our polluted world and bad habits. Early childhood educators and staff have the potential to create enormously positive changes in the way children eat, exercise, and avoid injurious habits. The good news is that children love to stay physically active, and they’re far more open to new foods and different diets than most adults are. Physical fitness and healthy habits almost come naturally to children!

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

• Identify the environmental and biological threats to children’s health and safety and how to protect children from them
• Describe the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and mental and physical health education
• List the resources available for children with special health needs and facility design considerations
• List developmentally appropriate toys and materials
• Identify the basic concepts of nutrition and food for children
• Consider how a center director would ensure health, safety, and nutrition of children in a program

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This course covers biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality, gender, stress, and community influences.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Describe the science of psychology, basic structure and function of the human nervous system, and basic structure and function of the sensory system
• Explain various states of consciousness, learning theories, and thought processes and development
• Summarize the nature of human motivation and development, the human development cycle, and approaches to understanding and assessing personality
• Recognize psychological disorders and available treatments
• Explain social psychology as it relates to attitudes, influences, behaviors, and stress
• Use critical thinking skills to determine the likely causes of behaviors of individuals and groups discussed in case studies

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Microsoft Office 2016 allows people to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. This course will teach your learners how to use three popular tools from the MS Office Suite— MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint. In this course, they'll learn how to use MS Word 2016 to create and edit text documents, insert figures and tables, and format pages for a variety of uses. They'll then learn how to use MS Excel to organize and format data, including charts, formulas, and more complex tables. Next, they'll learn how to use MS PowerPoint to create and deliver slide shows. Finally, they'll complete a computer applications graded project, which will test the skills acquired in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify how to create various Microsoft Word documents
• Write a sound Microsoft Word 2016 letter
• Identify how to create various Microsoft Excel documents
• Produce a thorough Microsoft Excel 2016 spreadsheet
• Identify the basic skills needed to use Microsoft PowerPoint
• Create a well-constructed memo, spreadsheet, and presentation

Early Childhood Education courses are designed to offer your learners an opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts they're learning throughout the program to a practical, real-world early childhood setting. It’s important that the setting where they'll complete their assignments and conduct interviews, observations, and assessments be a recognized child care center or preschool that provides quality care. This ECE Site Selection course includes important information and the necessary documents to be completed for the proposed child care center or preschool site to be approved by Penn Foster College.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Choose a recognized child care center or preschool that provides quality care to conduct interviews, observations, and assessments

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A survey course which discusses the similarities and differences in young children, the components of quality early childhood education programs, and the role of the professional early childhood educator.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Plan the steps needed in developing an ideal model of a childcare setting
• Analyze the effects of environment and adherence to routines on the developmental appropriacy of a child
• Prepare a holistic curriculum for developing linguistic, analytical, and social skills in early childhood education
• Record observations of child interactions in an early childhood facility
• Prepare a report of an interview with an ECE Site Supervisor
  
   

The main purpose of the Early Childhood Education courses is to provide your learners an opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts that they have learned in textbooks, webinars, and study guides to a practical, real-world early childhood setting. They are required to choose an appropriate ECE site selection in any local, center-based child care facility that is currently licensed to operate and provides care to infants, toddlers, and preschool children. ECE students are also required to submit official copies of any/all child abuse clearances, criminal background checks, and/or fingerprint clearances as required by their home state and also by the child care center.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Point out the necessary theoretical concepts needed in aiding a successful ECE site selection

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This course presents a variety of theoretical viewpoints to provide students with a well-balanced view of a child’s developmental process. Current studies and research provide learners with an understanding of the principal topics of child psychology as well as recent trends in socially relevant problem areas.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify the important processes, time periods, and issues in development
• Explain the elements of biological, physical, and perceptual development
• Explain how the elements of cognition and language impact development
• Analyze socioemotional development and how this relates to the self and identity
• Analyze how social contexts impact development and growth
• Compare child development in two separate age groups

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This course defines and explores the fundamental components of the early childhood curriculum, including creativity, sensory experience, curiosity, exploration and discovery, growth in literacy, and concepts of mathematics, science and social science.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Analyze the important elements in the structure of developmentally appropriate programs
• Identify the plans and strategies made by a teacher to ensure an enriching environment
• Categorize the methods of teaching catering to aesthetic and effective domains
• Distinguish between the different teaching strategies catering to language, physical, and social domains
• Create a daily classroom schedule using developmentally appropriate activities

* Your learners will chose one of the following Early Childhood Education Elective options. Please note, some courses require prerequisites.

 

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Art, Music, and Movement

 

Throughout this course, your learners will explore these ideas of art, music, and movement and their roles within a child’s development. By tailoring teaching strategies, assessment techniques, and environments to the creative needs of students, they'll reach one of the most important goals of teaching: to make learning fun.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze developmental theories related to creative thinking, behavior, and play in children’s learning
• Identify the best practices for fostering creative thinking through art, music, movement, and drama
• Categorize the research-based methods for assessing children’s creative thinking
• Analyze the learning environments and materials that promote creative thinking
• Prepare a lesson plan for a single day for a preschool classroom

 

Language and Literacy Development in Young Children

 

This course is designed to provide early childhood education professionals with a new approach to teaching early literacy skills with a multicultural perspective. The multicultural approach to literacy presented in this course will provide your learners with an understanding of how children develop literacy skills and cultural awareness. They'll be provided with a detailed comparison of how reading and writing develop for both preschool and kindergarten children. The four major components of communication—speaking, listening, writing, and reading—are fully explored with each age group. Throughout the textbook and course guide, they'll learn how important it is that teachers respect, understand, and dignify each child’s uniqueness while providing language-rich environments.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze the multicultural approach to literacy and how it can promote early literacy skills
• Point out how music and art help in developing early literacy
• Show how speaking and listening skills are foundational for early literacy development
• Analyze how children become writers and readers in preschool and kindergarten years
• Categorize the importance of family literacy and the transition phase from preschool to kindergarten
• Prepare a storytelling board for toddlers and preschoolers

 

Developing Math and Science Skills in Young Children

 

This course will provide your learners with the knowledge and skills needed to teach young children effectively about math and science and also to integrate all areas of
STEM education. STEM education has become a hot topic in the world of teaching children; it’s important to encourage students’ interest in STEM subjects at an early age as they’re curious and excited about learning. This study guide will provide the background on what STEM education encompasses and how to build STEM centers in environments from which children will benefit. Your learners will learn to build STEM throughout the classroom through integrated units, project-based curriculum, and thematic approaches. This course focuses on STEM field trips, outdoor activities, and concepts to help your learners teach young children about math and science.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Categorize the standards and components of STEM education
• Develop a learning center for STEM education in an ECE classroom 
• Analyze the process of incorporating STEM education throughout an ECE classroom
• Identify activities required for STEM project-centered curriculum
• Create the STEM learning activities that incorporate outdoor activities
• Analyze quick STEM activities and appropriate STEM field trips
• Prepare an essay based on your STEM extension experience
• Prepare a short essay on incorporating thematic units in the classroom

 

Cultural Diversity in the Early Childhood Program

 

This course is an adventure in learning about cultural influences on both your professional practice and the children and families in your program. Your learners will examine cultural influences on your attitudes and behaviors, and they'll explore the effects that these have on their professional judgment and practice. In addition, they'll review the cultural influences and differences in family child-rearing practices, young children’s social skills and behavior, and communication skills and styles. As they look at the ways in which cultural differences influence the way children act, communicate, and learn, they'll focus on language and communication, social skills, school readiness, and emergent literacy. 

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Identify the long-term benefits of childhood programs and how cultural differences affects education
• Analyze how poverty and culture affects child-rearing practices
• Prepare curriculum and instruction strategies for young English learners
• Create a week’s lesson plan for a preschool class

 

Administration of an Early Childhood Education Center

 

This is quite an exciting time to become an early childhood program administrator. Changing social conditions have raised the public’s level of awareness of the importance of early childhood care and education. Interest in providing the kinds of early childhood programs that promote the healthy growth and development of children has greatly increased. These programs require administrators who understand the special needs of young children in group settings. Likewise, these administrators will need to have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with communities, families, and staff in providing high-quality early childhood education.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Point out the role and responsibilities of a center administrator in managing and developing programs
• Analyze the competencies that an effective administrator must possess to manage a childhood development center
• Point out the administrator’s role and responsibilities with families, marketing, evaluation, and assessment
• Write an essay based on observations of the environment of a center
• Write an essay based on the scenario of a playground plan
• Prepare a budget plan for an ECE center

 

Family Child Care

 

In the past few decades, as we’ve learned more about how young children learn and grow, it has become increasingly apparent that quality child care can and should have a lasting effect on children and their families. Many families choose family child care homes to meet their child-care needs. Some choose home-based programs because they prefer to relate to a single caregiver. Some families like having all their children in the same group. As your learners proceed through the course, they'll be challenged to identify typical milestones and recommended practices for promoting development across all developmental domains in young children. They'll identify developmentally appropriate activities, books, and materials that will assist them in working with young children. Finally, your learners will learn more about quality programs, practices, and strategies for working with families.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

 

• Analyze the various needs of developing children
• Categorize the types of developmentally appropriate practices and activities
• Point out the importance of structures, programs, and practices in a family child care system
• Apply the skills and knowledge acquired from the course in recommending early childhood books
• Prepare a list of four professional articles after exploring the recommended websites
• Prepare three developmentally appropriate activities from the completed book recommendation assignment
• Apply the acquired skills and knowledge in developing a visually appealing handout for families

 

Assessment in Early Childhood Education

 

The current emphasis on producing high-quality, comprehensive programming for young children requires early-learning professionals to develop excellent observation and assessment skills. To do our best work on behalf of children, we must be able to accurately determine the skill level of each child. As early-learning programs and elementary schools begin to work cooperatively to provide seamless transitions for children, our observations and assessments will follow them throughout their school years. The first two chapters of the textbook describe the purpose of observation and assessment in the early childhood classroom, and the process of collecting and recording these observations in the Child Development Checklist. Chapters 3 through 11 cover the specific sections of the checklist and provide practical suggestions for fostering children’s development in each learning area. The final chapter discusses how you can share your observations with the children’s family members.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze the importance of observation and understanding the development of self-esteem related to assessment
• Categorize the assessment methods of social and emotional skills and motor development
• Distinguish between the teaching processes related to cognitive development, language, and emerging literacy
• Point out the importance of developing creativity and sharing assessment data with families
• Evaluate the findings of a Child Development Checklist to create learning prescriptions
  
   

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This course teaches the skills and techniques of effectively developing, drafting, and revising college-level essays toward a specific purpose and audience: active reading, prewriting strategies, sentence and paragraph structure, thesis statements, varied patterns of development (such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and classification), critical reading toward revision of structure and organization, editing for standard written conventions, and use and documentation of outside sources. Learners will submit two prewriting assignments and three essays (process analysis, comparison and contrast, and argumentation).

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to do the following:

• Use writing skills to construct well-written sentences and active reading skills to understand and analyze text
• Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions
• Contrast the revising and editing steps of the writing process
• Distinguish between different patterns of development
• Write a process analysis essay using prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing skills
• Recognize how to determine the reliability of secondary sources and to give proper credit to sources referenced in an essay
• Write a comparison and contrast essay by using persuasive writing techniques to defend a claim
• Create a sound written argument using techniques of drafting and evaluating sources
  
   

* Your learners will chose one of the following Art and Humanities Elective options. 

 

(3 CREDITS) 

 

Music Appreciation 

 

In this course, your learners will practice the skill of active listening. Learning to listen differently will allow your learners to experience all kinds of music in a new way. Most listeners are familiar with how music makes them feel, and we often say we like a particular piece of music because it has a “good beat” or a beautiful melody. This course will allow your learners to go deeper. Your learners will identify what the composer might have been trying to convey and listen for the way elements of musical composition and performance make each piece unique.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
• Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
• Recognize the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
• Describe the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
• Relate musical styles of the early twentieth century to comparable movements in art and literature
• Explain the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
• Recognize the influence of world music on modern western composition
• Write an essay researching composers’ influence in their respective genres

 

Art Appreciation

 

In this course, your learners will gain an understanding of artistic media, historical periods and artistic movements, the roles of the artist and the viewer, and the principles of art criticism.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
• Identify two-dimensional media
• Identify three-dimensional media
• Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
• Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
• Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world

The course on site selection focuses on the ideal ways to complete site selection. This course is designed to provide your learners with an opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts they've learned from the textbooks, webinars, and other resources from the prerequisites to a real-world setting. They're required to choose a recognized child care center/ preschool that provides quality of care for completing your assignments, conduct interviews, observations, and assessments. They must remember that in-home child care centers and family child care centers don’t meet the criteria, and they’ll not be approved as ECE Site Selections. ECE students are also required to submit official copies of any/all child abuse clearances, criminal background checks, and/or fingerprint clearances. Learners will be instructed to read the manual and instructions carefully.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Apply the guidelines and instructions from the course for completing ECE site selection successfully

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The preschool years are a special time in the life of young children. In many instances, it’s the first time a child is away from immediate family. Your learners, as early childhood professionals, have a huge responsibility in ensuring the safety and learning of each child, implementing developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and differentiation depending on the abilities and developmental levels of the children in their care. It’s essential that teachers learn about and provide the types of activities and experiences preschool children need.

This is an exciting course, packed with ideas that will help your learners establish an effective and developmentally appropriate learning environment, built with interest centers that allow for individualization. While your learners move through each lesson, take notice of the nongraded activities that are provided. These activities will help them with teaching ideas and ways to help children, building relationships with families, and growing a community of learners.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

• Analyze the importance of the child care environment
• Point out the role of the teachers in developing classroom environment
• Categorize the ways in developing effective curriculum plans that incorporate play-based activities
• Analyze how various types of learning centers enhances a child’s learning ability
• Prepare your assignment by observing five developmental categories of the preschool children
• Create a learning center design

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Trust and mutual respect are the basic building blocks of all future development. Infants who can trust that they’ll be changed when they’re wet, fed when they’re hungry, cared for when they’re sick, cuddled when they’re in need of comfort, and treated with respect and love when they’re awake develop into healthy, curious, affectionate toddlers. Teachers who help to foster these relationships are constantly measuring their own performance by asking, “Am I acting in the best interests of this child, as defined by the standards of developmentally appropriate practice?” This course is your learners reference book for those standards. As your learners progress through this course, they'll have many opportunities to examine what they do every day and to gradually adjust their teaching to reflect their emerging identity as a professional early childhood educator.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Describe how the caregiver impacts infants and toddlers through care, curriculum, individualization, and play
• Define the effects of infant and toddler attachment, their cues, developmental processes, and cognition
• Explain how language, emotion, and socialization affects infants and toddlers
• Describe the best environment for professionals while interacting with children and families

* Your learners will chose one of the following Science Elective options. 

(3 CREDITS) 

 

Nutrition

 

Nutrition is the science that investigates how our bodies take in, break down, and use foods. The course will provide your learners with basic information on how these processes take place, including information about nutrients and how they contribute to the way the body functions. This will help your learners to have a better understanding of decisions about food and diet. Your learners will also learn about physical activities that can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Because a central focus of nutrition studies is on health promotion, suggestions for individual nutrition choice will be discussed, as well as tactics for maintaining a healthy weight and keeping food supplies safe.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Explore how nutrition supports a body’s wellness
• Explore the body’s use of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• Discover the body’s use of water, minerals, and micronutrients
• Discuss what nutritional needs are for maintaining a healthy weight
• Develop a healthy and safe life style

 

Introduction to Biology

 

Few subjects can teach your learners as much about the world around them as biology. During this introductory course, they'll gain insight into the origin of life, the relationships among all living organisms and the environment, and even how their own body works. Your learners will learn how a significant number of organisms are structured and how they work to enable them to discuss intelligently the various forms of life and their processes.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze cells and their processes for obtaining energy and reproducing
• Explain how traits are passed on from one generation to the next
• Explain how different species of living things have evolved and are classified
• Write responses to fundamental biology essay prompts
• Identify the characteristics and behavior of plants and animals
• Diagram the anatomy and physiology of the human body
• Describe the ecology of living things
• Summarize complex biological issues using research articles

 

Earth Science 

 

The primary purpose of your learners textbook, Foundations of Earth Science, Eighth Edition, is to explain the fundamental processes of our planet. This course covers a number of topics which are concentrated in four main categories: geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Geology is the study of Earth, its minerals and rocks, and the many varied processes that formed our planet and continue to reform it today. Oceanography is the study of Earth’s oceans. Meteorology is the study of Earth’s atmosphere and astronomy is the study of Earth’s place in space and all things related. These four elements combined make up the Earth and are essential in understanding how the world works and how it’s evolving.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

 

• Categorize the matters, minerals, and materials that compose the Earth
• Differentiate between the elements and their ways of sculpting the landscapes
• Distinguish between the various theories and forces behind Earth’s history
• Point out the geological features of oceans and the important concepts of geology
• Categorize the causes and effects of various phenomenon affecting Earth’s atmosphere
•  Analyze the components of the solar system and the universe

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In this course, your learners will develop more effective personal communication skills to increase their chances for professional success. Your learners will identify the basic tenets of interpersonal communication, including diction, gesture, tone and facial expression, and practice methods for improving their skills in each area. They will also improve their listening skills. The course also reviews the standards for professional communication, including making introductions, interviewing, and dressing professionally.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

• Analyze various factors that help develop interpersonal communication
• Apply interpersonal communication skills in real-world scenarios

(3 CREDITS) 

This course introduces your learners to curriculum in the early childhood setting. They'll learn what effective curriculum is, what it entails, and what indicators help them identify its presence. Your learners will also learn the important factors to consider when deciding on the right curriculum for their program and children, and how to plan appropriate curriculum for children in the early childhood setting. Finally, they'll learn the importance of properly observing and documenting children’s learning through both formal and informal methods.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Identify effective childhood curriculum through models, observation and assessment, lesson plans, and routines
• Explain the benefits of activities, alone and group time, and play in the early childhood setting
• Recognize the link in language development and literacy to reading literature and learning activities to be an active citizen
• Describe the importance of math, science, music, and art in curriculum

(3 CREDITS) 

For an early childhood educator, nothing is more rewarding than working with young children with special needs. Working with special-needs children requires an understanding of how children develop and specific knowledge of the disability that affects each child. However, all the hard work is worth it the moment a child masters a skill that your learners have taught them. This course provides a general overview of the typical development of a child and the effects of disabilities on a child’s development. Specific strategies for creating an inclusive environment for children with special needs in a regular classroom are outlined, along with information on the legal implications of including those students.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Analyze the early childhood special education disciplines and the related practices
• Categorize the concepts, ideals, and goals associated with child development
• Point out the developmental risks and neurological function impairment
• Distinguish between the variations of development and sensory impairments
• Categorize the programs and services provided for special children reaching formal school age
• Prepare an essay on the process of child development and the associated knowledge

This course is designed to provide your learners with an opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts you’ve learned from the textbooks, webinars, and other resources from the prerequisites to a real-world setting. They are required to choose an appropriate ECE site selection in any local, center-based child care facility that is currently licensed to operate and provides care to infants, toddlers, and preschool children. ECE students are also required to submit official copies of any/all child abuse clearances, criminal background checks, and/or fingerprint clearances as required by their home state and also by the child care center.  

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

• Apply the guidelines and instructions from the course for completing ECE site selection successfully

(3 CREDITS) 

Guidance is the use of positive strategies to teach children the skills they need to succeed by helping them solve problems and handle confusing emotions as well as teaching them developmentally appropriate expectations. As the National Association for the Education of Young Children says, guidance differs from discipline; guidance gives children the tools to solve problems rather than disciplining children after the fact. This course will explore the many ways that teachers can work with children and families, using effective guidance strategies in a variety of settings.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Analyze the various roles, theories, and elements associated with guiding young children
• Point out the importance of supportive physical environments, discipline strategies, and assessment in child guidance structure
• Categorize the various developmental stages and guidance stages related to early childhood
•  Analyze the ways of implementing guidance strategies and the decision-making model of child guidance
• Prepare an essay on the case scenario by using the decision-making model

(3 CREDITS) 

This course will provide your learners with a foundation in basic mathematical operations. Topics covered include percentages, discounts, interest, present worth, sinking funds, installment buying, pricing, depreciation, investments, insurance, use of symbols and their applications, equations and formulas, and the importance of statistics.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

• Analyze functions of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents
• Show calculations involved in simple interest, compound interest, and time value of money
• Prepare various business math applications involving financial reports, installment buying, and depreciation
• Analyze various financial concepts related to taxes, insurance, financial investments, and basic business statistics

(3 CREDITS) 

In this course, your learners will learn the family-centered approach along with the current research for early childhood education. It contains practical examples for interactions between families, schools, and communities.

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

• Analyze family-centered approach with the related issues of attachment, trust, and autonomy
• Point out the various approach of teaching in dealing with socialization and cultural influences
• Categorize the ways in dealing with personal and social issues related to families
• Analyze the use of various educational and community resources available to families
• Prepare a newsletter for your childhood education program
• Prepare a summary of your findings after completing the Child Care Center Checklist

* Your learners will chose one of the following Early Childhood Education Elective options. Please note, some courses require prerequisites.

 

(3 CREDITS) 

 

Art, Music, and Movement

 

Throughout this course, your learners will explore these ideas of art, music, and movement and their roles within a child’s development. By tailoring teaching strategies, assessment techniques, and environments to the creative needs of students, they'll reach one of the most important goals of teaching: to make learning fun.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze developmental theories related to creative thinking, behavior, and play in children’s learning
• Identify the best practices for fostering creative thinking through art, music, movement, and drama
• Categorize the research-based methods for assessing children’s creative thinking
• Analyze the learning environments and materials that promote creative thinking
• Prepare a lesson plan for a single day for a preschool classroom

 

Language and Literacy Development in Young Children

 

This course is designed to provide early childhood education professionals with a new approach to teaching early literacy skills with a multicultural perspective. The multicultural approach to literacy presented in this course will provide your learners with an understanding of how children develop literacy skills and cultural awareness. They'll be provided with a detailed comparison of how reading and writing develop for both preschool and kindergarten children. The four major components of communication—speaking, listening, writing, and reading—are fully explored with each age group. Throughout the textbook and course guide, they'll learn how important it is that teachers respect, understand, and dignify each child’s uniqueness while providing language-rich environments.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze the multicultural approach to literacy and how it can promote early literacy skills
• Point out how music and art help in developing early literacy
• Show how speaking and listening skills are foundational for early literacy development
• Analyze how children become writers and readers in preschool and kindergarten years
• Categorize the importance of family literacy and the transition phase from preschool to kindergarten
• Prepare a storytelling board for toddlers and preschoolers

 

Developing Math and Science Skills in Young Children

 

This course will provide your learners with the knowledge and skills needed to teach young children effectively about math and science and also to integrate all areas of
STEM education. STEM education has become a hot topic in the world of teaching children; it’s important to encourage students’ interest in STEM subjects at an early age as they’re curious and excited about learning. This study guide will provide the background on what STEM education encompasses and how to build STEM centers in environments from which children will benefit. Your learners will learn to build STEM throughout the classroom through integrated units, project-based curriculum, and thematic approaches. This course focuses on STEM field trips, outdoor activities, and concepts to help your learners teach young children about math and science.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Categorize the standards and components of STEM education
• Develop a learning center for STEM education in an ECE classroom
• Analyze the process of incorporating STEM education throughout an ECE classroom
• Identify activities required for STEM project-centered curriculum
• Create the STEM learning activities that incorporate outdoor activities
• Analyze quick STEM activities and appropriate STEM field trips
• Prepare an essay based on your STEM extension experience
• Prepare a short essay on incorporating thematic units in the classroom

 

Cultural Diversity in the Early Childhood Program

 

This course is an adventure in learning about cultural influences on both your professional practice and the children and families in your program. Your learners will examine cultural influences on your attitudes and behaviors, and they'll explore the effects that these have on their professional judgment and practice. In addition, they'll review the cultural influences and differences in family childrearing practices, young children’s social skills and behavior, and communication skills and styles. As they look at the ways in which cultural differences influence the way children act, communicate, and learn, they'll focus on language and communication, social skills, school readiness, and emergent literacy. 

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Identify the long-term benefits of childhood programs and how cultural differences affects education
• Analyze how poverty and culture affects child-rearing practices
• Prepare curriculum and instruction strategies for young English learners
• Create a week’s lesson plan for a preschool class

 

Administration of an Early Childhood Education Center

 

This is quite an exciting time to become an early childhood program administrator. Changing social conditions have raised the public’s level of awareness of the importance of early childhood care and education. Interest in providing the kinds of early childhood programs that promote the healthy growth and development of children has greatly increased. These programs require administrators who understand the special needs of young children in group settings. Likewise, these administrators will need to have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with communities, families, and staff in providing high-quality early childhood education.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Point out the role and responsibilities of a center administrator in managing and developing programs
• Analyze the competencies that an effective administrator must possess to manage a childhood development center
• Point out the administrator’s role and responsibilities with families, marketing, evaluation, and assessment
• Write an essay based on observations of the environment of a center
• Write an essay based on the scenario of a playground plan
• Prepare a budget plan for an ECE center

 

Family Child Care

 

In the past few decades, as we’ve learned more about how young children learn and grow, it has become increasingly apparent that quality child care can and should have a lasting effect on children and their families. Many families choose family child care homes to meet their child-care needs. Some choose home-based programs because they prefer to relate to a single caregiver. Some families like having all their children in the same group. As your learners proceed through the course, they'll be challenged to identify typical milestones and recommended practices for promoting development across all developmental domains in young children. They'll identify developmentally appropriate activities, books, and materials that will assist them in working with young children. Finally, your learners will learn more about quality programs, practices, and strategies for working with families.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to: 

 

• Analyze the various needs of developing children
• Categorize the types of developmentally appropriate practices and activities
• Point out the importance of structures, programs, and practices in a family child care system
• Apply the skills and knowledge acquired from the course in recommending early childhood books
• Prepare a list of four professional articles after exploring the recommended websites
• Prepare three developmentally appropriate activities from the completed book recommendation assignment
• Apply the acquired skills and knowledge in developing a visually appealing handout for families

 

Assessment in Early Childhood Education

 

The current emphasis on producing high-quality, comprehensive programming for young children requires early-learning professionals to develop excellent observation and assessment skills. To do our best work on behalf of children, we must be able to accurately determine the skill level of each child. As early-learning programs and elementary schools begin to work cooperatively to provide seamless transitions for children, our observations and assessments will follow them throughout their school years. The first two chapters of the textbook describe the purpose of observation and assessment in the early childhood classroom, and the process of collecting and recording these observations in the Child Development Checklist. Chapters 3 through 11 cover the specific sections of the checklist and provide practical suggestions for fostering children’s development in each learning area. The final chapter discusses how you can share your observations with the children’s family members.

 

By the end of this course, your learners will be able to:

 

• Analyze the importance of observation and understanding the development of self-esteem related to assessment
• Categorize the assessment methods of social and emotional skills and motor development
• Distinguish between the teaching processes related to cognitive development, language, and emerging literacy
• Point out the importance of developing creativity and sharing assessment data with families
• Evaluate the findings of a Child Development Checklist to create learning prescriptions
  
   

(6 CREDITS) 

During the fourth semester learners will spend 300 hours in an approved early childhood center that includes infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in order to observe and participate in the direct application of theory. Your learners will have specific assignments during this time. They will have a maximum of six months to complete the field experience.

By the end of this course, your leaners will be able to: 

• Complete a series of hands-on activities to practice ECE skills
• Evaluate the actions of a teacher during children’s playtime
• Interview parents and ECE teachers to observe the parent-teacher relationship
• Plan a seminar to promote literacy to parents of ECE students
• Identify how teachers facilitate language development in the ECE classroom
• Evaluate the outdoor play area at an ECE center
• Evaluate the parent communication forms offered by an ECE center
• Report on the individualized plans for a special-needs or disabled student in an ECE center
• Describe the outcomes of the culturally diverse activities taught in the ECE classroom