| ECE131 Introduction to Early Childhood
Education |
3 Credits |
| This course provides an
overview of the field and supports the
philosophy that the major function of early
childhood education is to provide
developmentally appropriate programs, in
child-centered environments, for young
children. Historical and contemporary
influences, and the major theories of
development and learning, are discussed.
Requirements of scheduling and curriculum
planning are introduced, and the principles
teachers use in directing the social
behavior of children (guidance) are
discussed. |
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|
| ECE133 Literacy and
Literature for Young Children |
3 Credits |
|
This course presents
children’s literature from the perspective
of language development. Various forms of
literature are examined and basic standards
for book evaluation and methods for choosing
literature based on the developmental stages
of young children are developed. Materials
and techniques for implementing a
language-centered approach to reading, the
relationship of books to child growth and
development, and the importance of helping
children respond to what they read are
discussed.
Prerequisites: ECE131 or ECE135 or
permission of instructor. |
| |
|
| ECE134 Health, Safety,
and Nutrition |
3 Credits |
This course addresses major
issues of the young child’s health, safety,
and nutritional needs. The health and
well-being of body, mind, and spirit (social
and emotional needs) are included. Special
topics of emotional stress/distress and
child abuse/neglect are discussed. Emphasis
is given to the requirements of recording to
provide documentation of abuse/ neglect, and
the appropriate procedure for making
referrals in a variety of educational,
social, and health care situations.
Prerequisite: ECE131 or ECE135 or
permission of instructor. |
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|
| ECE135 Observing and
Recording Children’s Behaviors |
3 Credits |
This course explores methods
of observing, recording and assessing young
children’s development and learning.
Students should anticipate visiting multiple
early childhood sites to complete required
assignments. Skills learned will be used in
Practicum I and subsequent courses, as well
as in employment in early childhood
settings. Legal and ethical practices and
professionalism in record-keeping will be
discussed.
Must pass SBI and DHHS background checks to
participate in this course. |
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|
| ECE140 Fostering Growth
and Development: Infants and Toddlers |
3 Credits |
This course will introduce
to students the specialized knowledge and
skills required to work with infants and
toddlers in a variety of settings. Typical
and atypical development in all domains, and
planning for curriculum, activities and
environments will be discussed. The values
of forming partnerships with families will
be stressed. Caregiver behaviors to enhance
development will be explored.
Prerequisite: ECE131, ECE135, or
permission of instructor. |
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|
| ECE145 Fostering Growth
and Development: Preschool Years |
3 Credits |
This course explores the
development of children ages 3-5. Topics
covered include various theories of
development and how they are implemented
into appropriate practice in home and
center-based settings. Focus will be placed
on curriculum, environment, and family
involvement.
Prerequisite: ECE131, ECE135, or
permission of instructor. |
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|
| ECE148 Fostering Growth
and Development: Early Primary Aged
Children: 5-8 Years Old |
3 Credits |
This course will introduce
students to the skills necessary to work
with children ages 5-8 years old in school
and out of school settings. The unique
development of children ages 5-8 years and
planning curriculum and environments to
enhance their learning will be discussed.
Material and activity choices for a variety
of settings will be explored. Home, school,
and community partnerships will be
introduced.
Prerequisite: ECE131, 140, or
permission of instructor. |
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|
| ECE155 Practicum I: Early
Childhood |
3 Credits |
This field
placement presents opportunities to apply
skills of observation and recording in an
early childhood education setting in which
young children are served. Students will
observe children and staff in the setting,
will assist in the classroom when requested
by the staff, and will apply theories of
child development in working with young
children. Students will participate in a
seminar to reflect on their observations,
theory in practice, and questions they
generate from their field placement
experiences.
Prerequisites: ECE135,
ECE131. |
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|
| ECE158 Including Children
with Special Needs in Early Childhood
Settings |
3 Credits |
|
This course will introduce students to
teaching and working with young children
with special needs. The legal basis and
history of these services will be discussed.
Assessments of young children and curriculum
and environmental planning for including all
children will be explored. The critical
nature of building collaborative
relationships with families and service
providers will be stressed.
Prerequisites: ECE135, ECE140, and either
ECE145 or ECE148. |
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|
| ECE200 Practicum II: Early
Childhood |
4 Credits |
This 135-hour
field placement presents opportunities for
students to acquire experience, with
supervision, by applying their knowledge
from other courses. The emphasis in
Practicum II is on working with families.
More time in the setting will be spent
working with children than in Practicum I.
Placement in the center or classroom setting
is contingent on the student earning a grade
of at least ―C in each of the program’s
technical courses.
Students must pass SBI and DHHS background checks to
participate in this course.
Prerequisites:
ECE131, ECE135, ECE155 and at least one of
ECE140, ECE145, ECE148. |
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|
| ECE250 Practicum III:
Early Childhood |
4 Credits |
This 135-hour
field placement presents opportunities for
students to acquire experience, with
supervision, by applying their knowledge
from other courses. Most of the time in the
setting will be spent on working with
children. Opportunities to devise,
implement, and evaluate plans for children
will be built into the experience. Placement
in the center or classroom setting is
contingent on the student earning a grade of
at least "C" in each of the program’s
technical courses. The student is required
to work in a setting with children of a
different age than those they worked with in
previous practicums. The emphasis in
Practicum III seminar is a discussion of
current issues and trends in the field of
early care and education. Students must pass
SBI and DHHS background checks to
participate in this course.
Prerequisites: Taken in final semester in
program; all required ECE courses have been
completed before this practicum is
scheduled.
NOTE: Student must complete at
least three consecutive eight-hour days as a
portion of the required 135 hours. |
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| ECE260 Infant Toddler
Seminar |
1 Credit |
|
This 15 hour seminar offers students the
opportunity to explore professionalism in
their role as an infant/toddler caregiver.
Ethics and standards of best practice,
evaluation of current research, and advocacy
for infants, toddlers and their families
will be discussed. Students will create a
professional development plan.
Prerequisites: An AAS degree in Early
Childhood Education or a closely related
field including ECE131, ECE135, ECE140. |
| |
| ECE265 Infants and
Toddlers I: Social Beings & Ability to
Communicate |
3 Credits |
|
This course offers students in depth
exploration of Maine’s Infant Toddler
Guidelines in the areas of Social Beings &
Ability to Communicate. It consists of 30
hours in class plus 45 hours in a practicum
site practicing skills discussed in class.
Observations, developmental assessments,
curriculum planning and implementation,
adapting the environment for all children,
and staff interactions with infants and
toddlers will be discussed. Responding to
each child and family will be included.
Prerequisites: AAS degree in Early
Childhood or closely related field; ECE140
or equivalent or permission of instructor;
ECE Seminar. |
| |
| ECE270 Infants and
Toddlers II: Strong & Healthy Bodies &
Curious Minds |
3 Credits |
|
This course offers students in depth
exploration of Maine’s Infant Toddler
Guidelines in the areas of Strong and
Healthy Bodies & Curious Minds. It consists
of 30 hours in class plus 45 hours in a
practicum site practicing skills discussed
in class. Observations, developmental
assessments, curriculum planning and
implementation, adapting the environment for
all children, and staff interactions with
infants and toddlers will be discussed.
Responding to each child and family will be
included.
Prerequisites: AAS degree in Early
Childhood or closely related field; ECE140
or equivalent or permission of instructor;
ECE Seminar. |
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| ECE275 Working In
Partnership with Families |
3 Credits |
| This course
focuses on the importance of developing
collaborative relationships with families of
infants and toddlers . Students will examine
respectful communication strategies which
foster trust and partnering between parents
and professional caregivers. Relevant topics
include: poverty, multicultural issues,
efforts to maintain consistency in care
giving practices between home and child
care, communicating effectively with parents
about their child’s development status
across domains, family centered context and
confidentiality. |
| |
| ECE280 Infant Toddler
Language and Literacy |
3 Credits |
|
This course focuses on the development of
language and literacy in infants and
toddlers. The study and structure of
language, learning a first language, sign
language use with infants and toddlers, and
alternative methods to teach language will
be discussed. Introducing literature to
infants and toddlers and strategies to use
to enhance emerging literacy will be
discussed.
Prerequisite: Associate’s Degree in Early
Childhood Education. |
