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.

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.

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.

ECE140 Fostering Growth and Development: Infants and Toddlers                                                                      3 Credits
This course will introduce students to 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.

Pre/Co-requisites: ECE131, ECE135.

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.

Pre/Co-Requisites: ECE131 and ECE135 or permission of instructor.

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.

Pre/Co-requisites: ECE140, 131, 134 or permission of instructor.

ECE155 Practicum I: Early Childhood                       3 Credits
This 90-hour 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 own field placement experiences. Must pass SBI and DHHS background checks to participate in this course. Prerequisites: ECE135, ECE131.

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 inclusion of all children will be explored. The critical nature of building collaborative relationships with families and service providers will be stressed.

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.

Must pass SBI and DHHS background checks to participate in this course. Prerequisites: ECE131, ECE135, ECE155 and at least one of ECE140, ECE145, ECE148.

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.