CDEV

Orientation to ECE

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.

Stress/Coping--Early Childhood

Stress can have a positive or negative impact on human functioning. While positive stress can motivate us to complete a task, negative stress can cause serious harm to our health and interfere with students' ability to learn. This course offers an overview of the science of stress and its social determinants, and includes stress-reduction techniques and coping strategies that address the developmental and societal needs of young children and teachers from diverse cultures in early childhood and elementary school programs.

Infant/Toddler Growth & Dev.

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.

Early Childhood Curriculum

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.

Child Growth and Development

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.