An examination of the developing child in a societal context focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community, and emphasizing historical and socio-cultural factors. The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families.
Appropriate curriculum and environments for children from birth to age 8. Teachers' roles in supporting development and joy of learning for all children using observation and assessment and emphasizing the essential role of play through language, literacy, social/emotional learning, physical/motor activity, sensory learning, art, creativity, math, and science.
Theoretical perspectives & historical contexts of developmentally-appropriate practices applied to environments & programs for children from birth through age eight. Examines the role of relationships, constructive adult-child interactions, & teaching strategies in supporting development across all domains for all children, including those from diverse backgrounds (culture, learning styles, special needs). Evolution of professional practices promoting advocacy, ethics, and professional identity.
Overview of theories, issues, concerns and concepts related to the origins of stress; exploration of stress reduction techniques and coping strategies designed for young children and teachers in early childhood and elementary school programs.
Introduction to relationship-based care in infant/toddler programs supported by current brain development research. Curriculum planning is based on observation, meeting infants/toddlers' needs and providing positive guidance. Focus is on primary care, continuity of care, and individualized care in small groups.
Physical/sensory-motor, social-emotional, and cognitive/language development of the prenatal period throughout the first three years will be studied with an emphasis on interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Brain development research and major developmental theories are the guiding principles for practice. Caring adults as a foundation for all development will be emphasized.
Examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social/emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories.
Examination of standardized environmental rating scales for early care and education programs. Provides knowledge and skills necessary for administering and interpreting the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-third edition (ECERS-3) and the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale-third edition (ITERS-3) for the development of high quality care.
The Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale, Revised (FCCERS-R) for family child care providers in multi-age groupings. The FCCERS-R continues to be used nationally and locally to measure quality of care of family child care programs. This course is designed to support current practitioners in using the FCCERS-R in family child care programs.
An active exploration of the materials and strategies that can support young children's interest in how the world works. Emphasis on the natural and physical sciences and the promotion of inquiry-based experiences in family child care.