Course Descriptions 2023-2024 School Year EARLY CHILDHOOD ED EEC3524  Professionalism and Program Development  3.0   B This course will address approaches to management, leadership, and professional growth for early childhood providers, educators, directors and supervisors. Topics to be addressed will include defining professionalism, management vs. leadership, developmental stages for adult learning, mentoring, and staff assessment. Students will explore the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and how it relates to the professional conduct of early childhood educators. Learning activities will focus on developing the skills and dispositions of early childhood teacher-leaders who influence the community and the profession to achieve excellence.... Full Description EEC4712  Social and Emotional Development of Young Children  4.0   B This course will examine the importance of SED in relation to overall development including relevant theories and research, as well as assessment and intervention strategies that promote social and emotional competence and pro-social behavior. Strategies for prevention of SED problems and delays will also be explored. Students will complete a required field experience project in an early childhood education program.... Full Description EEC4613  Systematic Assessment in Early Learning Programs  4.0   B This course in an in-depth exploration of formal and informal assessment practices within early education settings. Learning experiences will include the practice of formal and informal means of recording observations of child learning and development, as well as best practices in child observation, assessment and applicable curriculum adaptations. Students will gain proficiency in using formal and informal child and classroom assessments to adapt early learning experiences to meet the needs of children through a required field experience in an early education setting. During these field experiences students will practice implementing various assessments tools, including data collection and analysis and the development of intervention plans Full Description EEC4940  Internship Experience 2: Theory to Practice  3.0   B Internship Experience: Theory to Practice will provide students with opportunities to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and strategies learned in their coursework in an early childhood classroom setting. This course is designed to provide students practice with new strategies and content in the final semesters of their bachelor's degree preparation. A minimum of 195 hours is required.... Full Description EEC3243  Art, Music and Movement for Preschool Teachers  3.0   B This course is designed to increase student understanding of the creative developmental process in the life of children from birth through four years old. The course will expose students to the creative process in the field of child development as well as observing childrens creativity and hands-on learning through projects. This course requires field experience in an early childhood setting.... Full Description EEC3511  Infant and Toddler Curriculum  3.0   B This course will explore the design, implementation and evaluation of curriculum that promotes the growth and development of cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and communication skills of children birth to three years of age. Both typical and atypical development will be discussed, with a special focus on attachment theory and its implications. Students will learn to identify influences on development of very young children and how to support and/or mediate them within the context of relationship-based curricula and practices. Students will also explore relationship-based curriculum exemplars, including implementation of guided practices that promote secure attachment between infants/toddlers and their primary and secondary caregivers.. Full Description EEC4421  Math and Science for Young Children  3.0   B This course provides an overview of early development and learning in the STEM domains (Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology). Students will learn how to create classrooms that support a childs development in STEM thinking and learning. Cause and effect, the emergence of language and thinking skills, and STEM teaching strategies are discussed as they relate to constructing school environments that support STEM explorations. Students will explore the process and nature of problem solving, the procedure that all people use to handle the problems that we face daily. The national and state standards for mathematics and science are also explored as well as techniques for designing authentic classroom experiences for improving students over Full Description EEC4404  Families, Diversity and Multicultural Considerations in Early Childhood  3.0   B The Families, Diversity and Multicultural Considerations in Early Childhood Course is a three-credit course and will explore the role of the family and the influence of the community on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth of young children in a diverse society. This course is designed to prepare early childhood, childcare, and pre-kindergarten professionals to work effectively with families and communities. Through this course the student will expand background knowledge from Home and Community, and expand their knowledge of multicultural resources, strategies for developing positive relationships with collaborators, and supportive interactions with young children and their families.... Full Description EEX3603  Positive Discipline and Guidance  4.0   B This course will provide students with an understanding of young children's behavior as well as environmental, familial, and cultural influences on behavior. The course emphasizes guidelines for effective guidance, classroom management, positive discipline, communication with children, an understanding of mistaken goals and conflict, organizing an encouraging classroom, and redirecting. Students will conduct Functional Behavior Assessments and create Positive Behavior Support Plans. Students are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of field-based experience during the semester of enrollment.... Full Description EEX4401  Meeting the Needs of Young Children with Special Needs  3.0   B The course will provide students with an understanding of early childhood typical and atypical development, inclusive early childhood education, and special education law, as well as resources for inclusive practice and meeting the needs of young children and their families. The course emphasizes a model of early assessment and intervention that aims to enhance the capacity and confidence of families and teachers to support childrens learning and development in the context of inclusive and natural settings, activities, and routines. This course focuses on the research, policies, contexts, and recommended practices that guide the provision of early intervention supports for young children placed at risk or those with established disabilities Full Description EEC3213  Language Development and Literacy  3.0   B This course will examine the development of language and literacy in children ages birth through four. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the language arts (speaking, listening, reading, writing) and designing a developmentally appropriate language arts program. Students will learn appropriate practices in conducting interactive read-aloud and observe language and literacy in the classroom setting using assessment tools. In addition, the role of the parent and the parent/teacher partnership will be discussed. This course requires field experience in an early childhood setting.... Full Description EEC3940  Internship Experience 1: Theory to Practice  3.0   B Internship Experience: Theory to Practice will provide students with opportunities to plan, implement and evaluate curriculum and strategies learned in their coursework in an early childhood classroom setting. This course is designed to provide students practice with new strategies and content in the final semesters of their bachelor's degree preparation. A minimum of 195 hours is required.... Full Description