A brief introduction to infant/toddler curriculum with an emphasis on the significance of how infants and toddlers learn. The importance of quality care, relationships, and planning curriculum and environments that meet the needs of young children in a Family Child Care (FCC) setting will be addressed,
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.
Introduction to basic issues in special education TK (transitional kindergarten-12 including legal rights of children with disabilities and their families, Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), disability sensitivity and awareness, inclusion, collaboration strategies and community resources.
Overview of sensory motor development in young children; developmentally appropriate sensory motor activities and experiences; and the relationship of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development to brain development in young children.
Advanced content for administrators and directors in effective administration, supervision and management of early childhood programs. Emphasis will be on financial management, governance, data-based decision making, and human relations.
Course topics will include strategies to promote children's social and emotional development and tools to address challenging behaviors and mental health needs. Course includes interrelated levels of practice in developing positive relationships with children, families and colleagues; creating supportive environments; utilizing social and emotional teaching strategies to provide intensive, individualized interventions.
Supervised work experience in youth-serving agencies to make connections between theory and practice. Observation and evaluation of school-age children and youth, planning of group activities, and the role of adults in youth programs will be examined in this course. This course fulfills the requirement for the Community Youth Worker Certificate. One unit of credit is earned for 54 hours of unpaid or paid work.
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.
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.