This course studies the social, historical, and philosophical foundations of American Education. Special emphasis will be placed on Early Childhood Education.

An introduction to the field of early childhood education, including a history of the movement, influencing concepts and theories, and relevant issues.

A study of the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of the individual beginning with the prenatal period and continuing through early adolescence. This course includes an on-site field experience in settings for young children.

A study of developmentally appropriate practice for young children, birth through age 9. This exploration is an integrated curricular study of appropriate early childhood curriculum, materials, environments, assessments, expectations, instructional strategies, and considerations for early childhood educators. Appropriate field observations and experiences are an integral part of this course, and will be integrated with course content.

A study of the characteristics of young children with developmental disabilities in the contexts of family theory and intervention. Particular emphasis will be placed on how these characteristics impact the child's family and educational needs.

ECED 3162, ECED 3172, ECED 3183, ECED 3192. In this course, pre-service teachers build a working knowledge of curriculum strategies and techniques on which to base wise curriculum decision making for children ages 3-5. This course is connected to the ECED 3122 Practicum.

Practicum I is designed to provide pre-service teachers with field-based experiences for children age 3-5 years.

A study of observational and developmentally appropriate tools and methods of collecting data for decision making. Emphasis is on qualitative assessment techniques that are specific to 3-5 year-old children. This course is connected to the ECED 3122 Practicum.

Emphasis is placed on the guidance and management, individually and in groups, of young children ages 3-5 years. The course focuses on developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood settings. Creation of learning environments that foster social competence, build self- esteem in young children, and assist them in the exploration of ways to independently solve problems and gain self-control are emphasized. This course is connected to the ECED 3122 Practicum.

A study of teaching strategies and support systems for encouraging the various areas of literacy in the 3-5 year-old child. This course is connected to the ECED 3122 Practicum.

Study of sources and types of reading materials available for 3-5 year old children and ways to use them to enhance learning. This course is connected to the ECED 3122 Practicum.

ECED 3213 builds on the concepts presented in ECED 3113 and emphasizes developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages 6-9; mandated curriculum; and contemporary issues related to curriculum. This course is connected to the ECED 3222 Practicum.

Practicum II is designed to provide pre-service teachers with field- based experiences for children age 6-9 years.

A study of fundamental observation, assessment, and evaluation concepts and tools. Emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative methods of measuring and reporting student progress and learning. Designed to give the beginning teacher a background in the collection and interpretation of data with the goal of making valid data-driven decisions. This course is connected to the ECED 3222 Practicum.

Emphasis is on the guidance and management, individually and in groups, of primary-aged children, 6-9 years. The course focuses on developmentally appropriate practices in multi-cultural school settings that encourage children to become self- regulated learners. Creation of a context for positive discipline and a guidance approach for an encouraging classroom are explored. This course is connected to the ECED 3222 Practicum.

A study of teaching strategies and support systems for encouraging the various areas of literacy in the 6-9 year-old child. This course is connected to the ECED 3222 Practicum.

Study of sources and types of reading materials available for 6-9 year old children and ways to use them to enhance learning. This course is connected to the ECED 3222 Practicum.

(Fifteen hour course.) An intensive field experience and campus seminar class which culminates the early childhood program. Students will spend time in early childhood environments and in campus seminars applying their knowledge and skills in reflective decision making with children and families.

A study of the theory, materials, methods, and instructional techniques applicable to language development and emergent literacy experiences during the early childhood education years - birth through age nine. This course examines developmentally appropriate integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to literacy development encompassing writing, reading, and oral language development of young children in the home and school environment.

Seminar will be based on current interest of students and will serve as means of synthesizing their experiences. An interdisciplinary approach will be taken to exploring current issues and problems in early childhood education, current happenings as they relate to the issues and major research efforts to support programs. A critical review examination and evaluation of investigations, studies, and other research finding which have special significance for early childhood education will be explored. The implications of this research for educational practice will also be considered.

Social/emotional development in infancy and early childhood and the development of parent-child relationships; developmental sequences in infancy and early childhood in relation to lifespan development issues; impact of various disabilities upon attachment and interaction and upon general family adjustment; methods of promoting optimal psychosocial and family development within the context of cultural variations.