Infant Care and Curriculum

Course Description:

This course focuses on the theories, methods and materials of early childhood education for infants (birth to eighteen months), with an emphasis on addressing developmental needs and culturally appropriate practices in their education and care. The following topics are explored in depth: social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of infants; basic principles of infant care giving, including providing culturally sensitive and consistent care; arrangement of the environment and developmentally appropriate experiences to promote infant growth and learning; the role of parents and establishing partnerships with families.

Artifact: Infant-Family Case Study Commentary Paper

ECE 209- Seminar

Course Description:

This course focuses on the theories, methods and materials of early childhood education for infants (birth to eighteen months), with an emphasis on addressing developmental needs and culturally appropriate practices in their education and care. The following topics are explored in depth: social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of infants; basic principles of infant care giving, including providing culturally sensitive and consistent care; arrangement of the environment and developmentally appropriate experiences to promote infant growth and learning; the role of parents and establishing partnerships with families.

Artifact: Infant-Family Case Study Commentary Paper

Infants and Toddlers Practicum I: Observing and Recording

Course Description:

This is a fieldwork course focusing on the observation and assessment of infants and toddlers. It requires supervised participation in an assigned early childhood setting (birth to thirty-six months) and attendance at a weekly seminar. Students will learn the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies to document the development, growth, play and learning of infants and toddlers; and how authentic assessment methods can be used to tailor curriculum to promote children’s success.  Recording strategies, rating systems, child studies/portfolios, and various assessment tools are explored. Students spend a minimum of 60 hours in the field.

Artifact: Child Case Study Portfolio Project

Toddler Care and Curriculum

Course Description:

This course is a continuation of ECE 209, focusing on the theories, methods and materials of early childhood education for toddlers (ages eighteen months to thirty-six months). The following topics are explored in depth: social, emotional, cognitive, physical and self-help development of toddlers; basic principles of toddler care giving, including providing culturally sensitive and consistent care; arrangement of the learning environment and developmentally and culturally appropriate experiences to promote toddler growth and learning; the role of parents and establishing partnerships with families.

Artifact: Toddler Classroom Model Project

Infants and Toddlers Practicum II: Pedagogy for Infants and Toddlers

Course Description:

This is a capstone fieldwork course that enables students to demonstrate their competencies teaching infants and toddlers. It requires supervised participation in an assigned early childhood education setting (birth to thirty-six months) and attendance at a weekly seminar. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Child centered, play-oriented approaches to teaching, learning and assessment; and knowledge of curriculum content areas will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for infants and toddlers with diverse learning styles and needs. Students spend a minimum of 90 hours in the field.

Artifact: Intentional Teaching Capstone Project