Early Childhood Education Special Needs Certificate (C55220E)

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

Graduates will:

1. Promote child development and learning by knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs.
2. Build family and community relationships by:
   a. Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics.
   b. Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
   c. Involving families and communities in their children’s development and learning.
3. Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families by:
   a. Understanding the goals, benefits and uses of assessment.
   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.
   d. Knowing about assessment partnerships, with families and with professional colleagues.
4. Become a professional by:
   a. Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field.
   b. Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines.
   c. Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice.
   d. Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.
   e. Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession.