EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

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*Growing together as learners and friends*

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Students will participate in an in-depth study of Early Childhood Education (ECE). They will have hands on experiences working in our own Preschool Lab and later on at various ECE Centers and Elementary schools throughout the community.

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ECE students will study learning environments, health and safety, child growth and development, guidance and discipline, as well as child development theorists. Students will also learn about various rewarding career opportunities related to the field of Early Childhood Education. Second and Third year students will have the opportunity to earn dual enrollment credits through UMF.

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First Year

1. Hands on experience in our onsite Pre-School

2. Learning environments and experiences for children

3. Growth and Development of 3-5 year olds

4. Health and Safety issues in an ECE setting (CPR & First Aid training & certification)

5. Nutrition, meal planning, and Servsafe Food Handler certification

6. Routines, Discipline & Guidance

7. Lesson planning & implementation of age appropriate activities

8. Early Childhood Programs and career opportunities

 

Second Year

1. Internships at various ECE programs  & Elementary Schools in the community

2. Professional Preparation

3. Infant & Toddler Care

4. Theories of Learning

5. Learning Environments

6. Guidance and Assessment

7. Literacy

8. Dual Enrollment opportunity with UMF

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Third Year

1. Leadership roles

2. Observation and documentation

3. Family communication

4. Assisting and modeling for First year students

5. Organization and time management skills

6. Assistant director responsibilities

 

Early Childhood Education I

 

  Students are taught a complete overview of what Early Childhood Education consists of.  Topics include; preparing environments, routines, discipline & guidance, storytelling, health & safety, child growth & development, assessment, nutrition, curriculum planning, and careers in various ECE fields/settings.

    Our on-site preschool program provides the students with hands-on experience to practice the topics discussed and studied in class.  The students are given immediate feedback, guidance and opportunity to retry techniques & strategies for working with young children.

 

Early Childhood Education II

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 Students are taught an advanced curriculum which focuses on the following topics; theorists, philosophy, developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), behavior & guidance of school-aged children, understanding by design (UBD) curriculum planning, special education & learning disabilities, career readiness with resume writing & interview practice.  Students also have the opportunity to receive Dual enrollment college credits through this course, along with possible 3 credits from our third party assessment testing of NOCTI.

     Students have the opportunity to intern in our community in public school classrooms for kindergarten through third grade, infant & toddler programs, special education programs and day care centers.  This intern experience builds relationships within the community and provides opportunities for future employment for the students.

 

Early Childhood Education III

 

  Students are taught about leadership roles, assistant director responsibilities, management skills, planning & implementing curriculum, assessment & data entry, and family communication.

     Students work under our guidance in the on-site preschool practicing the role of an assistant director.  They facilitate staff meetings, model appropriate techniques and strategies for the first year students while working in the preschool classroom, make observations, greet families and participate in preschool parent/teacher conferences and manage various tasks when preschool is not in session (menu planning, grocery shopping, inventory, bulletin boards, newsletters, celebration planning etc.) Students are recertified in CPR/First Aid.