Early Childhood Education

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the historical roles of families in their child's development. The student will become familiar with the theories supporting Early Childhood Education and learn how to develop an effective program designed uniquely for children (ages birth to 8). The students will also obtain knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to the care and education of young children.

This course is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge base to design an early childhood education program that will meet the needs for children. It will provide the opportunity for students to design environments that are physically and emotionally secure. Further, students will plan and implement activities that are age, stage, and culturally appropriate for children from birth to five years. The framework for this course is based on the guidelines established by the Council for Early Childhood for Professional Recognition. Students will also examine the impact of multiculturalism on child development.

Designed for students seeking CDA renewal. This class reviews the paperwork and documentation required to maintain family daycare and preschool programs. Various legal concerns will be examined.

This course relates principles of child development to appropriate methods of guiding children’s behavior for children Birth through Pre-kindergarten, including children with special needs. Techniques for managing groups of children in the various childcare settings are practiced.

This course will introduce students to a variety of age appropriate concepts and methods in mathematics and science. Students will develop activities, make or obtain manipulatives; plan and practice developmentally appropriate experiences that meet standards recognized by NAEYC, NCTM and others.

This course is based on the foundation of research in child development and focuses on planning and implementing enriching environments with appropriate interactions and activities for young children (birth through two) including those with special needs, to maximize physical, cognitive, communication, creative, language/literacy, and social/emotional growth and development. Competencies are based on Standards developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for quality early childhood settings. Also covered: 1) Information on the Quality Approval process and Accreditation for Early Childhood settings in Arkansas, now called Better Beginnings and 2) Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months.

This course is designed to make the early childhood educator aware of the acquisition of language and how to provide children birth through pre-kindergarten, including children with special needs with language rich environments by incorporating the four areas of language: speaking, listening, writing and reading.

This course introduces students to current research in the field of early childhood education. Students will develop a knowledge base of the NAEYC Code of Conduct through analyzing case studies designed to demonstrate competencies compatible with current research and practice, development of a professional portfolio to demonstrate competencies in the skills relating to the NAEYC Associate Degree Standards.

Students must be employed or volunteer in a licensed childcare facility to apply the knowledge acquired and skills learned in previous coursework. Observation of the student’s work and evaluation of student skills are conducted by instructors following the NAEYC Associate Standards. Students must demonstrate competency in all areas observed and complete a minimum number of clock hours, determined by the institution, of observation and work experience with children birth to five. An emphasis will be on the observation of physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development in connection with previous courses.

This course provides practical field experience in the methods of early childhood education, the use of early childhood education materials, and the application of the six competency goals and thirteen functional areas of child development. A fee of $350 will be assessed to this course.

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the historical roles of families in their child’s development. The student will become familiar with the theories supporting early childhood education and learn how to develop an effective program designed uniquely for children (ages birth to eight). The students will also obtain knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to the care and education of young children.

Students will apply methods of Early Childhood Education, use materials designed for children,and develop an early childhood curriculum guide for use in the classroom. A fee of $375 will be assessed to cover this course.

This course is designed to provide the student with a broad knowledge base to design an early childhood education program that will meet the needs for children. It will provide the opportunity for students to design environments that are physically and emotionally secure. Further, students will plan and implement activities that are age, stage, and culturally appropriate for children from birth to five years. The framework for this course is based on the guidelines established by the Council for Early Childhood for Professional Recognition. Students will also examine the impact of multiculturalism on child development.