Early Childhood Education - ECE 145

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students to provide care for infants and toddlers in group settings. Students will learn the essential ingredients in infant and toddler education and will be exposed to matching teaching strategies to very young children as they develop. A holistic emphasis focuses on the development of a curriculum which provides for the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Students will have a 60 hour field experience working directly with infants and toddlers. Michigan Central Registry Clearance by the Michigan Department of Human Services and a current TB test are required for this course. This course requires all students must meet the requirements of a criminal background check.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Outline an environment that is secure yet stimulating for infants and toddlers.
• Build meaningful curriculum for infants and toddlers.
• Outline the Child Protection Law and Mandated Reporting of Suspected Abuse and Neglect.
• Demonstrate the Ten Principles of Caregiving for infants and toddlers.
• Demonstrate appropriate teaching and professional skills in working directly with infants and toddlers.
• Reflect on one's own teaching practices.
• Implement developmentally effective approaches with children.
• Incorporate the central concepts and inquiry tools in the curriculum areas of language and literacy, dance/drama/visual arts, math, science, physical activity and social studies for activities appropriately developed for infants and toddlers.
• Practice collaborative learning in early childhood education.
• Critique educational settings on curriculum, teaching methods, environment, program components and practices.
• Execute best teaching practices modeled by mentor teachers.
• Compare teaching styles observed in early childhood classrooms.
• Employ effective teamwork skills.
• Characterize the observed developmental levels of infants and toddlers.
• Share appropriate content and development knowledge with families.

Course Schedule