Early Childhood Educator Offerings

May Term

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course will provide an introduction to the Early Intervention (EI) program currently applicable to all children who meet criteria between the ages of 0-3. Students will learn about the history of EI in the United States, the components of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and the interdisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment. In this course, we emphasize the importance of understanding and working within the family system from a culturally competent context. 

March Term

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course is intended for students working in an educational setting, for child care providers, and for adults and parents who desire additional information about current concepts in the field of health, safety, and nutrition, and their relationship to the young child. 

March, July Terms

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course presents a developmentally appropriate curriculum framework for the cognitive/language, physical, and social-emotional development of infants and toddlers. We emphasize an education on children’s interactions with their environment through exploration, problem-solving, and discovery, and students will study the role of the adult in creating a safe physical and psychological learning environment with stimulating materials. Presentations, projects, and observations will provide first-hand experience.

January, May Terms

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course presents a developmentally appropriate curriculum framework for the cognitive/language, physical, and social-emotional development of preschoolers. Students prepare to utilize evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practices in the context of children’s family, culture, language and abilities. This program's emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments to support each child in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor play.

January, July Terms

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course will examine instructional strategies and developmental theory of how children’s self image and self control are developed through individual and small-group interactions. Course material is drawn from developmental and learning theories for infancy,  toddlerhood, and the preschool years. Observations are an important learning tool for this course.

March, July Terms

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course is designed to acquaint students with practical matters involved in establishing and maintaining an early childhood facility. It includes topics such as determining the need for and structure of an early childhood facility, legal requirements for child care centers and staff, child selection and grouping, staff recruitment, development, evaluation, funding, and budget management.

January Term 

3 Credits

Cost: $500

The course will emphasize the role of the supervisor or mentor in human resource management. Leadership theories and skills will be explored as they relate to working with diverse populations. Students will collaborate with outside resources such as parents, social service, and health care professionals in children's programs throughout the course.

May Term

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This course will examine the developing child in a societal context, focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community and emphasizing historical and socio-cultural factors. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships, and how to use protective factors through effective use of community and family resources. The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families. 

January, March, May, and July Terms

3 Credits

Cost: $500

This survey course examines the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development of children from birth to 8 years of age. In this course, we will discuss child development theories, as well as empirical research relating to each area of development. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of healthy environments that promote optimal child development.