This curriculum is designed to prepare early childhood educators to recognize children with typical and atypical developmental needs and plan appropriate care and education to meet their needs. Course work includes child development, observation and assessment, and an introduction to children with exceptionalities. Specific courses in behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, sensory and physical disabilities, and developmental delays are also included. Students should be able to plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that stimulate all young children’s development and learning, provide an optimal learning environment that is safe and healthy, provide positive guidance for all children, and communicate effectively with the children, co-workers, and parents.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Standard: Promoting Child Development and Learning
1. Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs.
Standard: Building Family and Community Relationships
2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics
2b: Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships
2c: Involving families and communities in their children’s development and learning
Standard: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing
3a. Understanding the goals, benefits and uses of assessment.
3b. Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches.
3c. Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child.
3d. Knowing about assessment partnerships, with families and with professional colleagues.
Standard: Becoming a Professional
4a. Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field
4b. Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines
4c. Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice
4d. Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education
4e. Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession
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