Early Childhood (EDEC)

A graduate research project must be completed and submitted to the Graduate Office for a grade to be assigned, otherwise IP notations are recorded. This course is specifically designed for Plan II and Plan III students.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This course is for students who selected the Master’s Thesis pathway. Students will take the course twice to accumulate a total of 6 credit hours of Thesis. The first 3 hours consisting of completion of a thesis proposal and IRB approval, if applicable, and the last 3 hours consisting of completion of the thesis. Completion of the thesis proposal is a prerequisite for enrollment in the last 3 hours of thesis.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 2 time(s).

This course is about infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and families during the first four years of life. The primary goal of the course is for students to develop knowledge of infant, toddler and preschool development across individual differences and contexts. Attending to the contributions of familial and cultural contexts, as well as, the child’s contributions this course considers both theoretically prescribed developmental trajectories and the profound individual differences that each human being presents. Students are expected to reconceptualize traditional theories in light of the real issues faced by children and families across contexts.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

An intensive study of the cognitive development and socialization of young children from diverse contexts with consideration of ethnicity, gender, and social-economic background, and special needs and the manner in which these issues affect their development and learning. Culturally relevant ways of supporting the child and family within an ecological system are emphasized.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This course addresses basic concepts associated with educational research as well as historical development of research methodologies. Students will be expected to critically evaluate existing research and develop a research proposal and literature review for their Graduate Research Project in an educational area of choice related to early childhood education. This course is a prerequisite for EDEC 5370 Research in Early Childhood.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This course explores the concepts of leadership, change, improvement, and innovation as they impact different advocacy pathways to address contemporary challenges in the field of early childhood. Research on or participation with an advocacy effort is required.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Content and methods for promotion development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in social studies for preschool children. Unit themes will be developed for integrating curriculum.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Content and methods for promotion development of knowledge, skills and attitudes in science for preschool children. Unit themes will be developed for integrating curriculum.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Development of logical thought and reasoning in young children. Developmentally appropriate activities and materials for promoting quantitative concepts.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This course is grounded in critical pedagogies to explore an expansive definition of literacy as a social practice of meaning making. Students will also explore the role of family literacy practices in creating inclusive and meaningful classroom experiences in early childhood.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

The history, philosophy, and practice of observing, recording and analyzing children’s behavior using current methods based upon prevailing research in the field of developmentally appropriate assessment, including investigation of issues concerning diversity in assessment. The use of assessment to improve professional practice and early learning environments. The course will facilitate development of appropriate assessment records and mechanisms across early childhood settings.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Historical, philosophical, sociological and psychological bases for early childhood education. The implications of research and theory on development, developmentally appropriate practice and contemporary issues in early childhood.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Practicum in observing and recording behavior of young children. Assignments in developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children. May be repeated once.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

An advanced course in curriculum design with an emphasis on integration of content areas for instruction. Math, science, language, arts, and social studies scope and sequence will be presented. Adaptations for special populations will be included.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This course will extend the students’ understanding of play theory and include relevant research in order to advocate for the value of play in the early years.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Focuses on the content and methods for promoting the development of knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for young children B-Grade 3. Integrated approaches to curriculum development with an emphasis on inquiry and emergent investigations that foster curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, scientific methods. Standards for Science, Mathematics, and Technology as well as developmentally appropriate methods of instruction and assessment with young children are examined.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Content and methods for promoting the development of knowledge and skills in the humanities are emphasized in this graduate level course. The course integrates approaches to teaching the “what and why” of humanities which encompasses social studies, language arts, and fine arts with a multicultural perspective. The course includes information on planning relevant units of study, lessons, and activities, developing effective instructional strategies, acquiring knowledge of humanities content and methods of assessing student learning.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

A study of creative thought and behavior in young children. Methods and materials for teaching art, music and dramatics for young children. Theories of play and development.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

The identification and research of specific problems as they relate to preschool programs. May be repeated once.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Repeat Status: Course may be repeated 1 time(s).

This introductory course focuses on a myriad of historical and philosophical foundations in Early Childhood education that continues to influence current research and practice. Attention is given to the basic components that are essential to the organization and effective implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum and practice. Additionally, this course offers experience and training in the techniques of analysis of curriculum and environments that are integral to the accreditation process in EC programs. Details pertaining to research, writing, and analysis of curriculum and practice are included.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

This capstone course provides students the opportunity to complete their Graduate Research Project (GRP) by identifying and investigating school and community-based problems and applying inquiry writing, and research skills to a relevant issue or concern in early childhood. Students develop and implement a relevant research project that includes a problem statement, literature review, data collection, analysis, and summary/application. Alternatively, students pursuing a Master’s Thesis may substitute this class for the first 3 credit hours of EDEC 5306 Thesis.

Restrictions: Undergraduate level students may not enroll.