Early Childhood Education, A.S.

Program Code: 3401

Early Childhood Education offers an opportunity to refresh and increase knowledge and competencies. Others who wish to explore and/or gain entry into the expanding child care and early education field can acquire practical experience as well as a basic preprofessional education. Parents can build knowledge and skills through parenting classes offered as part of this program.

Note: In addition to the required courses, participants will be required to have a current certificate in first aid and infant, child and adult CPR. This certification must be earned no earlier than one term prior to graduation.

Requirements for Admission
Complete mandatory advising session with program advisor.

Program Goals and Outcomes

• Identify and discuss developmental tasks relative to the various stages of development of young children.
• Analyze appropriate guidance and management techniques relative to the various stages of development of young children.
• Develop developmentally and culturally appropriate activities that will facilitate all areas of development in young children, including children with special needs.
• Analyze community resources to make recommendations to families of young children with various needs.
• Apply NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct in practica experiences.

Performance Standards
After successfully completing the program, the students will be able to perform the following:

• Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Understand individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
• Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and create learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
• Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
• Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
• Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.