Early Childhood Education

Fall
Principles of Early Childhood Education is an introduction to current state of early childhood education in the United States. This course introduces the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation and Pennsylvania State Standards for Education. Students will begin the development of a professional portfolio and Pennsylvania Early Learning Professional Development Record in this class. This course will cover the foundations of curriculum, materials, and instruction of early childhood education.
 

Fall
This course is designed to give first semester students who are pursuing a career in education, which could include, early childhood, elementary, or secondary, planning and professionalism to successfully complete their education and career goals. This course will also help them become engaged members of the College and professional community. Students will be involved in career exploration in education areas, setting real-world goals with academic planning and resume building, learning the tools available for their academic success, and the professionalism needed to carry them forward into the academic world and the job market for educators.

Fall
This course focuses on child development from conception to age nine with an emphasis on the infant/preschool child through middle childhood. The course studies the physical, cognitive, and personality-social aspects of development, both through normal and atypical circumstances. Small group projects, child observations, investigation, and discussion of issues related to scientific principles of development are examined. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, the Pennsylvania Early Learning standards (ELS), and the Council for Exceptional Children standards (CEC) are used throughout the course.

Spring
Students engaged in early childhood degree programs understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. In this course, the students will be able to use systematic observations, documentation and other assessment in the education and development of the young child, birth to pre-kindergarten. Students will observe, participate, reflect and write about their learning in this early childhood setting. The students will fulfill 20 hours of observation in an Early Childhood setting.

Spring
This course focuses on the development of literacy processes for all children birth through 4th grade, emphasizing typically developing children, but also addressing atypically developing children. Students review current literacy research; explore the implications of research for teaching practices; and examine approaches to planning, implementing, and evaluating engaging literacy experiences that build on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that children bring to the classroom.

Spring
Science is a fundamental aspect of inquiry based learning in early childhood education. This course will allow the learning, teaching and assessing of basic science concepts and applications from Pre-K to 4th grade in early education environments. Students will utilize the Pennsylvania Early Learning and Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors to emphasize cooperative learning, self-assessment, and hands-on science.

Fall
Creative Expression involves all of the elements of developmental and environmental interaction for Pre-K-4th grade children in regular, inclusive, and diverse settings. Students in the course learn how to design and apply developmentally appropriate practice and academic rigor within the curriculum, incorporating Early Learning and Academic Standards, and Assessment Anchors in structured lesson plans.

Spring
This course explores parent/guardian involvement and the relationship between homes, schools, and communities. Content is organized around how the home, family, school, and community all influence the growth, development, and education of younger children. Students will learn how schools relate to parents and will acquire knowledge and skills to implement quality parent involvement programs. The course goal is to demonstrate the qualities of effective partnerships between schools, homes, and agencies. 

Spring
This course is a comprehensive review of assessment theory, practice, and tools used to effectively assess a child's level of achievement and prepare educational strategies to engage the child at the next level of competence. Assessment is viewed as an ongoing process rather than an ending to an educational experience. This course provides the most current research and practical guides to integrate authentic assessment with effective teaching, including the study of PA mandated assessments for PreK through Kindergarten. An introduction to assessments used in 1-4th grade is presented. The course will use material and pre-service experience to interpret and use assessment information once it has been collected. The course is developed around the constructivist approach, recognizing and adapting assessment techniques to accommodate cultural and individual differences. Students learn how to adapt the learning environment for special needs students. This course requires 20 hours of observation/participation. The students are required to complete a final presentation of an electronic graduation portfolio.