In this course, you will learn about early childhood development through activities and experiences in nursery, child care, preschool, kindergarten, and primary programs. Investigates classroom organization and procedures, use of classroom time and materials, approaches to education for young children, professionalism, and curricular procedures.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• describe developmental characteristics of children from infancy through age 8
• demonstrate competency in identifying the physical, mental, social, and emotional differences among children from infancy through age eight when planning a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• choose age-appropriate materials and activities using child development criteria
• list and describe conditions that define a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• describe an environment for young children which is developmentally appropriate
• compare and contrast cultural differences and be able to use this information when planning for classroom experiences, communicating with parents, and guiding behavior
• identify and apply various positive guidance and behavior management techniques and strategies
• demonstrate competency in communicating with parents and conducting effective conferences
• demonstrate competency in meeting the basic nutritional needs of young children
• compare and contrast environments that are and are not conductive to encouraging positive mental health
• observe children of various ages in various settings and evaluate the effectiveness of the defined program
• become aware of an emerging professional identity and personal educational philosophy
• become familiar with professional organizations, periodicals, journals and advocacy practices

Possible Assignments Include: (Subject to change each semester. The actual assignments are available in the Syllabus in the Blackboard course site on the first day of classes.)

Your final grade may be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least several exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 2 exams in this course.

Last Updated: August 12, 2011