Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)

Overview of major and theoretical frameworks and perspectives. Focus on gender and cultural impact on biological, physical, cognitive, social, moral, emotional and behavioral aspects of development for effective educational practices.

Focus on the influence of family, school and community on development and education of the young child. Special emphasis on the role of nutrition, positive home and school environments and community resources.

Focus on cultural pluralism and its impact on development and education in regards to teaching and learning strategies. Emphasis on self-examination, reflection, and integration of current processes involved in interactions and relationships in society.

Focus on the eight components for coordinated health for young children in out-of-home care. Health, physical education, health and nutrition services, health promotion for the staff, counseling and psychological services, a safe healthy environment, and family involvement, and community resources and personnel will be addressed. Attention will be directed towards children with special needs and challenging behaviors as well as legal and ethical issues in the field of early childhood.

Focus on local, state and federal statutes and regulations in early education settings. Emphasis on ethical codes of conduct, including analysis of legal and ethical dilemmas and practice.

Prerequisite: ECE 201; ECE 210; HED 220 and ECE 211

Inquiry into the nature and tasks of early cognition including social, cultural and biological foundations. Attention paid to current research implications for learning theory, individual differences and classroom instruction.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus is on infants and toddlers in group care settings. Emphasis is on close, caring relationships in the cultural context of the child and family, understanding developmental milestones, the identification of special needs, and current issues of health, safety and nutrition.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on acquisition and developmental aspects of language related to emergent literacy skills. Emphasis on current research regarding language experiences that contributes to literacy acquisitions, including assessment and instruction.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on essential elements of curriculum design including writing of goals, learning outcomes, developmentally appropriate activities, assessment measures and integration of the arts. Alignment with national and state standards stressed.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on identification, design and delivery of developmentally age appropriate experiences that encourage active math, science and technology inquiry. Inquiry related to emerging notions of mathematical and scientific processes is basis for activities along with the inclusion of technology as a strategy.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on play as the primary learning modality for young children. Theoretical basis for play as a means of teaching, role in learning and as a means of assessment emphasized.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on acquiring and enhancing skills in the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation, reporting of screening assessment instruments. Emphasis on designing and implementing curricula based on assessment results.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Exploration of variations in child development and identification of specific disabilities in young children. Inclusive early childhood programs, specific strategies for adaptation and accommodation of the core curriculum to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of children who are at-risk or have special needs are examined.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on observation, identification, description, and assessment of challenging behaviors. Designing and implementing effective teaching and learning strategies to successfully guide these behaviors within a social and cultural context.

Prerequisite: ECE 330

Focus on acquiring knowledge through current research and developmental theories to plan responsive environments that strengthen family-school partnerships. Will explore through case studies optimum communication techniques for building and maintaining positive relationships with family members.

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of all core courses with an average grade of “C” (2.0) or better in the core.

Participation in a collaborative field/academic experience to reflect and actively practice material covered in core classes. Field experience must be in approved setting and arranged by student. Grading is S or U only.

Focus on enriching and enhancing young children’s learning through the creative arts. Emphasis on integrating creative experiences within core subjects to create developmentally appropriate experiences.

A survey of literature for young children in preschool through first grade. Emphasis on effective read aloud and story telling strategies for the developing language and listening skills, for developing concepts of print and vocabulary and for fostering a love of reading and early literacy skills.

Focus on authentic informal and formal assessments for infants and toddlers, and the use of case study to develop observation skills leading to the promotion of responsive environments.

Focus on infant and toddler development and the role of the adult in supporting optimal outcomes through routines, curriculum planning, and implementation. Candidates will examine the primary components of quality care and education.

Focus on understanding the value of providing opportunities for infants and toddlers to engage in sensory art exploration as well as experimentation with culturally diverse music and dance. Emphasis is on creating experiences indoors and outdoors focusing on the aesthetic process of experiencing various rhythms, tones, textures and color.

Focus on administration of early childhood programs. Emphasis on working with boards, staff, parents and volunteers. Highlights include hiring, assessing, and supervising staff and volunteers. Attention to designing staff and volunteer professional development programs.

Emphasis on theories, principles and practical methods of leadership and supervision applicable to early childhood settings. Demonstrations of instructional, operational and organizational leadership. Focus on components of human resources related to staff recruitment, development and evaluation.

Focus on financial policies and management of resources in early education settings. Emphasis on accounting fundamentals of preparing, recording and monitoring funds.

Understand the impact of crisis, trauma and abuse on young children’s development. Examine research-based classroom strategies to support and mitigate the impact on young children. Focus on building resilience through collaborative partnerships, community resources and advocacy.

Guidelines on planning, designing and organizing physical learning environments for young children. Understanding, comparing, integrating theoretical frameworks on indoor and outdoor environments.