This course gives a foundational base for an understanding of the critical early years of life. The importance of childhood, developing values, and professionalism are discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on the roles and responsibilities of the teacher and high quality environments that emphasize anti-bias, self-help and inclusion. Students gain an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices with young children and working with diverse families.

Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101
Students enrolled in this course will explore the theories and practices of growth and development for infants and young children, with an emphasis on significant and recent research, contemporary schools of thought, and theories of human development. Additional topics covered in this course include the influence of heredity and environment on child development, infant and child health care, socialization and sex role stereotyping. Fulfills Social Science core requirement.

PREREQUISITE: ECE101

Students enrolled in this field placement course will observe, analyze, and evaluate childhood behavior in a variety of pre-school settings. Particular attention will be focused on the children's social, emotional, and intellectual skills. Other topics discussed in class include the role of the classroom teacher, the curriculum, and the organization of pre-school settings. Field study comprises two thirds of the course.

Prerequisite: ECE 101 or concurrent

Young children are greatly influenced by the world around them. In this course, students will discuss many of those influences, with particular attention to the issues of family and school. Topics include sexuality and sexual behavior, changing family patterns, the impact of divorce, single parenting, alcoholism, and the impact of the school environment. Students will explore strategies to help parents meet their children's changing developmental needs and ways to encourage good parenting skills.

This course focuses on the physical and psychological safety, health, and nutritional needs of children from birth to age five. Topics include factors that impact healthy learning environments for children, such as wellness of young children, health and nutritional guidelines, indoor & outdoor safety, and licensing regulations. Students will learn about childhood illnesses, as well as the recognition of child abuse and neglect, and partnering with families.

PREREQUISITES: ECE 101 or ECE 102

This course will develop a framework for understanding the emotional and behavioral development of young children. It will examine traditional methods of teaching right and wrong by using reward and/or punishment, which often gives the appearance of working. It will also emphasize the interpersonal relationships between children, teachers and caregivers based on communication, respect, love and understanding. Students will examine the art of teaching and helping children to learn with understanding of class controls and structuring/restructuring of the environment.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: ECE 101

Learning to facilitate parent education groups and understanding group dynamics in a culturally sensitive environment is the focus of this course. Students will develop group leadership and group facilitation skills as they explore current issues in parenting as identified by the Office of Youth
Services. Prerequisite: ECE 101 or concurrent

PREREQUISITE: ECE 101 and ECE 102

Students enrolled in this course will review the history and theories of early childhood education as the basis for exploring contemporary issues. Classroom discussions and readings will focus on current trends and the future direction of early childhood education, relative to educational practices and classroom curriculum.

PREREQUISITE: ECE 101 and ECE 102

Students enrolled in this course will develop an understanding of the abilities and disabilities of children classified as exceptional or "special needs" children, as well as the instructional organizations necessary to help special needs students achieve their potential. In addition, students will examine the impact of educational and psychological handicaps on an individual.

PREREQUISITE: ECE 101

This course identifies and discusses the health problems and health needs of young children, including common childhood disorders and diseases and the principles of nutrition related to meal planning for young children. Students examine the role of both the school and the home in the physical development of young children.

PREREQUISITE: ECE 101 and ECE 102

The central theme of this course is to explore the many ways in which children can express their creativity in a day care environment through planned activities involving music, art, rhythm and movement, and dramatic play. Through expressive arts, teachers can gain insight into a child's individual personality, hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations and can use this information to create a positive and rewarding learning environment for young children aged 2-6.

PREREQUISITE: ECE 101 and ECE 102
COREQUISITE: ECE 298

This course provides students with in-depth theory and practice and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants and toddlers. Students will evaluate existing curricula and produce plans that they will use in childcare settings. Attention is given to multicultural, developmental, language and literacy issues. This course should be taken with ECE 298 Internship I, which is for Infants and Toddlers.

PREREQUISITE: ECE 206; and ECE 298, or co-requisite
COREQUISITE: ECE 298

This course provides students with in-depth theory and practice and implemeenting a developmentally appropriate curriculum for preschoolers. Students will evaluate existing curricula and produce plans that they will use in childcare settings. Attention is given to multicultural, developmental, language and literacy issues. This course should be taken with ECE 299 Internship II, which is for preschoolers.

Prerequisite: ECE 101 and ECE 102 Planning and administration of the overall operations of a day care environment are the focus of this course. Students will be presented with a comprehensive view of contemporary day care issues, including developmental characteristics of young children, planning the environment, programming, licensing, staffing, community involvement, and parent relationships. This course provides opportunities for field observation.

Prerequisite: ECE 206 corequisite
Internships provide a framework within which early Childhood Education students can work directly with young children in a classroom environment. Students enrolled in this course will work under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher, who will meet with the students regularly and assist in the development and implementation of lesson plans. The supervising teacher submits periodic evaluations to the course instructor. This evaluation is an important component of the final grade, and will require a total site experience of 150 hours per semester. This course is to be taken concurrently with ECE 206.

Prerequisites: ECE 207, or co-requisite

In this course, which is a continuation of ECE298, students will work with individual children in a classroom environment to assess their learning needs and design appropriate programs for young children. Students enrolled in this course will work under the direct supervision of the classroom teacher, who will meet with the students regularly to review their work and plan for the implementation of specific lessons. The supervising teacher submits periodic evaluations to the course instructor. This evaluation is an important component of the final grade, and will require a total site experience of 150 hours per semester. This course is to be taken concurrently with ECE206.