Mar 28, 2024  
2017-18 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2017-18 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]

Early Childhood Education Diploma (D55220)


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The diploma in early education is designed to provide training in addition to that required by beginning workers. It does provide training as required by the State of North Carolina but at a level that helps the teacher learn to diagnose the needs of his/her children and prepare appropriate lessons according to those needs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Promote child development and learning by:
    a. Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs.
    b. Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning.
    c. Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
  2. Build family and community relationships by knowing about and understanding family and community characteristics.
  3. Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families by:
    a. Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and other professionals.
    b. Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches.
    c. Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child.
  4. Teach and learn by:
    a. Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of working with children.
    b. Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education.
    c. Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches.
    d. Reflecting on one’s own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.

Additional Program Requirements for Early Childhood Education


All students are required to submit documentation of additional non-academic criteria which will include a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter obtained through DCDEE. Instructions will be provided in EDU 119. Students who do not submit a valid CBC Qualification letter will not successfully complete Early Childhood Education.

Total Credit Hours: 13


Total Credit Hours: 13


Total Credit Hours: 12


Total Program Hours: 38


Note(s):


The courses taken in this diploma program may be applied toward the Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education.

Related Careers

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