Education: Early Childhood

EDEC 100A Parent Education and Infants1 Credit

Parenting skills in a child care setting. Introduction to stages of child development, best practices in parenting, and resources for children 1 to 18 months old. Emphasis on development, effective communication, discipline, age appropriate learning activities, and school readiness. Requirement: Enrollment of child in campus early childhood program. Parents spend 30 minutes a week in their child's classroom.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken 2 times for credit.

EDEC 100B Parent Education and Toddlers1 Credit

Parenting skills in a child care setting. Introduction to stages of child development, best practices in parenting, and resources for children 18 to 36 months old. Emphasis on development, effective communication, discipline, age appropriate learning activities, and school readiness. Requirement: Enrollment of child in campus early childhood program. Parents spend 30 minutes a week in their child's classroom.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken 3 times for credit.

EDEC 100C Parent Education and Early Preschool1 Credit

Parenting skills in a child care setting. Introduction to stages of child development, best practices in parenting, and resources for children 3 to 4 years old. Emphasis on development, effective communication, discipline, age appropriate learning activities, and school readiness. Requirement: Enrollment of child in campus early childhood program. Parents spend 30 minutes a week in their child's classroom.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken 3 times for credit.

EDEC 100D Parent Education and School Readiness1 Credit

Parenting skills in a child care setting. Introduction to stages of child development, best practices in parenting, and resources for children entering kindergarten. Emphasis on development, effective communication, discipline, age appropriate learning activities, and school readiness. Requirement: Enrollment of child in campus early childhood program. Parents spend 30 minutes a week in their child's classroom.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken 3 times for credit.

EDEC 101 Introduction to Early Childhood3 Credits

Introduction to the profession of Early Childhood Education. Includes key areas of professional knowledge related to working with young children and their families in early care and education settings: child growth and development; health, nutrition, and safety; developmentally appropriate practices; guidance; family and community relationships; diversity and inclusion; professionalism; and administration and supervision. Addresses children ages birth through 8 years.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Fees: Yes.

EDEC 102 Introduction to Early Childhood Professions Lab Experiences3 Credits

Classroom seminar and placement in a childcare setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe children, practice appropriate interactions, and develop effective guidance and management techniques. Addresses ages birth through age 8. 60 hours of lab placement.

Prerequisites: EDEC 101.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring, Summer.

EDEC 103 Guidance Strategies3 Credits

Exploration of guidance theories, techniques, and practices used to address repeated patterns of child behavior that interfere with a young child’s ability to learn and engage in prosocial interactions with peers and adults. Covers factors that influence children’s behaviors and aspects of early childhood educator professionalism related to ethical and equitable guidance practice. Addresses children ages birth through 8 years.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

EDEC 113 Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice3 Credits

Overview of development and care pertinent to infant and toddler children, ages birth to three years, in early childhood settings. The course includes information on state requirements for regulating health, safety, and nutrition practices in early childhood settings, and on indicators of quality care for infants and toddlers.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 114 Introduction to Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques3 Credits

Classroom seminar and placement in an infant and/or toddler setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe, practice appropriate interactions, and develop effective guidance and nurturing techniques with infants and/or toddlers. Addresses ages prenatal through age 2. Assignments include a required field experience of 60 hours.

Prerequisites: EDEC 101 or EDEC 113.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 122 Ethics in Early Childhood Education1 Credit

Practical approach to recognizing, understanding, and resolving issues confronting professionals in education and business. Application of critical thinking and decision-making skills to ethical dilemmas. Exploration of methods of resolution through ethical reasoning and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) professional codes. Emphasizes logical analysis, critical thinking, and responsible ethical decision making.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 125 Science/Math and the Young Child3 Credits

Examination of theories of cognitive development as a framework for conceptualizing the way young children acquire scientific and mathematical skills, concepts, and abilities. Enables students to research and develop appropriate individual and group scientific/mathematical activities for young children.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 126 Art and the Young Child2 Credits

Preparation to plan and implement a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate art program for young children. Investigates the development of self-taught art techniques in young children.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

EDEC 127 Music/Movement for the Young Children1 Credit

Exploration of the purposes of incorporating music and movement into the early childhood curriculum. Through active participation with hands-on experiences, students work with the concepts of age and developmental appropriateness when designing fun activities with both subjects.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

EDEC 195 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

EDEC 196 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

EDEC 200 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education2 Credits

Focus on developmentally appropriate observation and assessment strategies to document child development, play, and learning to support families and professionals in promoting children’s success, as well as to document quality indicators in early childhood programs. A variety of formal and authentic assessment methods are explored in this course. This course addresses children ages birth to eight years.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 201 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Techniques1 Credit

Supervised placement in licensed early childhood settings. Formal and authentic assessment methods are explored within early care and education settings, including practicing developmentally appropriate observation and assessment techniques to document child development, play, and learning to help families and professionals promote children’s success. Program evaluation assessment tools are covered. This course addresses children ages birth to eight years.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 205 Nutrition, Health, Safety3 Credits

Exploration of nutrition, health, and safety as key factors for optimal growth and development of young children. Includes nutrient knowledge, menu planning, food program participation, health practices, management and safety, appropriate activities, and communication with families. Addresses birth through age 8. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

EDEC 230 Curriculum and Development: Infant/Toddler3 Credits

Examination of the curriculum for the age group birth to 3 years. Emphasis on maintaining healthy, safe environmental activities developmentally appropriate to stimulate language, social emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

EDEC 237 Theories and Techniques of Social and Emotional Growth3 Credits

Incorporation of student-specific techniques and strategies for guiding and enhancing social and emotional growth in children 0-8 years. Introduces and compares the theories underlying quality interactions and patterns of social and emotional progression.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

EDEC 238 Early Childhood Development 0-8 Years3 Credits

Exploration of theories, current research, and developmental ages and stages of children, from conception to 8 years. Emphasizes physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional domains, the concept of the whole child, and how adults can provide a supportive environment. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 240 Curriculum and Development: Early Childhood3 Credits

Methods of creating and implementing a curriculum based on the understanding of developmentally appropriate practice for children, from birth to age 8. Application of the teaching/learning process, and of managing the learning environment, will draw from research and practical application. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Prerequisites: EDEC 101.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 241 Early Childhood Administration: Human Relations3 Credits

Examination of the roles and relationships among children, families, early childhood professionals, and community resources. Exploration of family structures, communication skills, roles of support organizations, team building, evaluation tools, self-reflection, and advocacy. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

EDEC 250 Exceptionalities in Early Education3 Credits

Overview of critical elements related to educating young children who have diverse development. Topics include: typical and atypical development, legal requirements, research-based practices related to inclusion, teaming, and collaboration. Exploration of different development in relation to cognitive/social/physical abilities and the impact on the learning process. Includes conception to age 8. Assignments include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Prerequisites: EDEC 101.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 256 Working with Parents, Families, and Community Systems3 Credits

Exploration of personal attitudes regarding families, family values systems, and how personal attitudes affect parent-professional partnerships in the early childhood education program. This course covers communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution strategies with respect to children ages birth through 8 years. Effective activities and resources to support family involvement in the classroom will be created.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 264 Administration in Early Education3 Credits

Overview of management concepts applicable in a variety of early education settings. Focuses on management of programs and personnel, program and staff development, fiscal administration, and evaluation. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

EDEC 290 Early Literacy for the Young Child2 Credits

In-depth view of early literacy development in a changing, diverse society. Intended for the prospective early childhood teacher. Includes research about the language and literacy of young children. Explores how learners develop the ability to communicate and interact from birth to age 8. Assignments require 3 hours of field experience and may include observation/participation in an early childhood setting.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

EDEC 295 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

EDEC 296 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

EDEC 297 Practicum1-2 Credits

Supervised experience working with children and families in early care and education settings. Accepted by the State Department of Child Care Services for licensing purposes. Scheduling is flexible.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

EDEC 299 Student Teaching in Early Education3 Credits

Supervised teaching experience. Allows the student teacher the opportunity to apply developmentally appropriate, standards-based practices, theories, and philosophies acquired in prior coursework. Provides incremental responsibility for teaching, supervision, and guidance of young children birth to 8 years. 300 field experience hours in an approved child care facility or school.

Prerequisites: EDEC 101, EDEC 122, EDEC 240, EDEC 250, and permission of instructor.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.