Early Childhood (EDEC)

In this course students will identify their skills, strengths, interests and values as it relates to future career goals within the field of early childhood. Students will volunteer in the community to gain transferable and direct skills to apply to future career goals. Through mock interviews, writing a professional and concise resume and cover letter, and research professional organizations, student will be prepared to become active members of the early childhood community. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

In this course, students will study the physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development of children from birth though age-eight. The interaction between biology and environment is explored within the context of families and the community. Students will apply developmental knowledge in supporting the nutrition, health, safety and wellbeing of young children. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

Students will gain an understanding of the foundational theories and philosophies of early childhood. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Students will understand the historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological theories behind developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum. Students will comprehend specifics about licensing, certification and management of childcare facilities as well as in the classroom. Students will identify and understand laws, rights and appropriate curriculum for special needs students. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Acquisition and development of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills for infants and toddlers with an emphasis on the essential role of the family and nurturing relationships in promoting positive early development. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, and Writing

Utilizing a social justice framework, focuses on becoming an early childhood professional; ethical choices, staff collaborations, professional dispositions, professional development, leadership and advocacy. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

This course focuses on teaching methods for incorporating play, movement and the arts into academic instruction for the EC-6 student. Students apply the knowledge of developmental milestones to make age appropriate curricular decisions. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Selected topics in child development, early childhood education or working in settings supporting children birth to age 8 and their family. A topic for intensive investigation will be selected for each offering of the course. May be repeated two additional times for credit if the topic each time is different (for a maximum of 9 credit hours earned for this course). TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Writing, and Math

The focus of this course is discovering students' place in the early childhood field where the student will demonstrate knowledge of professional expectations and resources, demonstrate growth over their university experience, and become active members in the early childhood profession. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Focuses on understanding the dynamic relationship between families and those who care for young children examining issues of diversity, family strengths, family stresses and parenting. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Focuses on preparing early childhood professionals to use empirically-based action research to inform their work with young children and/or families. This course requires additional hours of  field-based work that can be completed solely to meet the requirements of this course or completed simultaneously while fulfilling the field-based hours for EDEC 4303/Practicum when the courses are taken concurrently.  TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Familiarizes the student with authentic early childhood environments emphasizing the importance of developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant practices. This course may be repeated twice for credit when practicum placement occurs with a different age group or professional setting. 45-hours of field-based practicum work is required. May be repeated two additional times for credit if the placement involves a different age group (for a maximum of 9 credit hours earned for this course). TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Students will gain an understanding of cognitive developmental milestones and theoretical philosophies that enhance the understanding of professionals in early childhood careers. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Students will gain an understanding of social and emotional developmental milestones and theoretical philosophies that enhance the understanding of the social and emotional domains of young children. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Students will gain an understanding of a variety of assessment procedures and methods for documenting the growth and development of young children in all domains. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Student will acquire information regarding developmentally appropriate assessment strategies for the cognitive, social, emotional and physical domain. Student will identify formal and informal evaluative instruments and the subsequent advantages and disadvantages. Information will be provided on special problem regarding assessment, including assessment of special populations, interpretation of results and bias of results. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Acquisition and development of oral language, early literacy. Integrated approach to language skills for young children. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Strategies and materials for enhancing the physical development of young children. Units of health, nutrition, safety and other related topics. Field experiences. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing

Methods and materials for teaching young children. Scope and sequence of language, mathematics, social and natural sciences, fine arts, health and safety and physical education. Field experiences required. TSI Restriction(s): Reading, Math, and Writing