ECE 101 Child Development
4 credits
An interrelated study of the physical, affective, social, cognitive, and moral growth of children from prenatal through middle childhood. Content is presented chronologically to develop understanding from various research sources and the major theorists.
ECE 102 Child Care: Programs and Practice
2 credits
A course designed to introduce students to the institution of child care from historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives. Different kinds of national and international child care programs and services are studied with the nature, purpose, and effectiveness of each evaluated.
ECE 201 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
3 credits
Prerequisite: ECE 101
This course is an introduction to early childhood education. Historical, psychological, social, and philosophical foundations are examined and provide a base for evaluation of contemporary programs.
ECE 301 Teaching Young Children withSpecial Needs
3 credits
Prerequisite: EDU 213
This course is designed to give early childhood educators the needed expertise to teach young children with special educational needs, who are included in regular early childhood settings. It focuses on identifying the needs of those children and adapting early childhood curriculum and methodology in response to an extended range of individual differences.
ECE 302 Methods of Teaching theYoung Child
4 credits
Prerequisite: ECE 101, 201
This course examines the curriculum content of early childhood education programs and identifies developmentally-appropriate teaching methodology. Focus is on designing and implementing a comprehensive education program: child assessment, curriculum design, learning activities and materials, classroom organization, instructional techniques, behavior management, and program evaluation. Students develop skills by creating a thematic unit and teaching lessons in the Early Childhood Center.
ECE 312 Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs
3 credits
Prerequisite: ECE 101, 102, 201
An exploration of aspects of establishing and administering early childhood programs: needs assessment, program development, state and local regulation, financing, organizational structure, personnel management, environmental design, evaluation methods, and current issues.
ECE 401 Clinical Practice and Seminar -Pre- Kindergarten or Kindergarten
6 credits
A supervised classroom teaching experience that provides an opportunity for practical application of educational theory and research related to licensure grade level. Students are placed in either a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten setting. The seminar is designed to reflect upon and analyze teaching experiences and discuss relevant issues such as ethics, communication and classroom management.