ECE 530 Found Early Child Education

The historical, philosophical, and sociological foundations of early childhood education will be addressed in this course. Current issues, legislation, and public policies affecting children, families, and programs for young children will be considered. Students will examine the profession's code of ethics and engage in professional development opportunities. Students will examine characteristics of a variety of early childhood program models, including the philosophy, history, funding, regulations, curriculum, and role of the teacher in each model. Recommended practices for designing appropriate learning environments will be addressed; the notion of anti-bias curriculum will be explored within the context of the learning environment. Students will focus on all areas of diversity, including children with disabilities, as part of an understanding that the child can be best understood within the context of his/her family, culture, and community. Partnerships, collaborations, and support and referral services will also be explored, as well as the role of trans-disciplinary teams in providing services to students with disabilities. A six-hour field experience is required. Students must obtain fingerprint clearance prior to beginning field experiences. Offered annually (3 credits)