Early Childhood Education (AS)

Early Childhood Education (AS) Courses

• •  

  • Code

  • Course

  • Credits

• • BUS 220

  • Business Ethics

  • 3
  An introductory course in business ethics focusing on what business relationships are and ought to be with the various constituencies in which business operates. Through the use of case analysis, the student will develop a means of arriving at decisions that he or she can feel are “right,” “proper,” and “just.” Placement at ENG 101 level strongly advised.
• • EDU 101

  • Introduction to Educational Studies

  • 3
  This is an introductory course in the principles of early childhood and elementary education focusing on facilities, staff, goals and methodology of various programs such as child care and elementary schools. Traditional and contemporary issues in education will be considered, and emphasis will be placed on meeting the needs of the developing child and adolescent. Placement at ENG 101 level strongly recommended.
• • EDU 105

  • Curriculum for Young Children

  • 3
  By focusing on methods and material in early childhood education, this course will explore ways to maximize the learning experience for young children using Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines. The meaning and value of play and the child’s individual and developing use of materials will be considered. Projects based on cues from children’s interest and how to adapt activities for children in differing cultural settings will be included.
• • EDU 107

  • Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children

  • 3
  This course is an analysis of the personal health and nutritive needs of young children. The proper foods for young children are emphasized in relation to the physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being of the child. The role of early childhood programs in preventive health care is stressed, and consideration is given to the body function of the young child with respect to anatomy, physiology, correct nutrition, rest, recreation, exercise, and play. Placement at ENG 101 required.
• • EDU 111

  • Early Language, Literacy, and Children’s Literature

  • 3
  This course examines the development of language and literacy skills in the crucial years of development, ages 0-8. This course will cover stages of development, typical and atypical development of language and literacy, and high- quality children’s literature to support this growth. Students will focus on working with diverse student and family populations, the current evolution in early literacy instruction, and identifying and using high quality children’s literature to support language and literacy development. Students will develop professional level materials to include in a teaching portfolio. Co-requisite: ENG 101.
• • EDU 217

  • Behavior and Guidance for the Young Child

  • 3
  This course will focus on the process of understanding and fostering responsible and cooperative behavior in young children, including positive ways of guiding children through challenging behaviors. Students will explore appropriate guidance strategies such as redirection, promoting pro-social behavior, positive assertiveness, consistency, and internal mechanisms that guide self- control. Students will also take an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach to documenting and analyzing behavior. Prerequisite: EDU 101 and EDU 105.
• • EDU 218

  • Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum

  • 3
  This course focuses on understanding the growth and development of infants and toddlers, and planning curriculum for the child under three years of age. Emphasis will be placed on the whole child’s development: physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth. Understanding growth and development will be the basis for planning curriculum for infants and toddlers in group care, family day care, as well as parent/child activities. This course fulfills the EEC requirement for an Infant/Toddler curriculum course. 10 observation hours in the field required.
• • EDU 222

  • Children with Special Needs

  • 3
  Introduction to special education emphasizing observation, evaluation, and planning for young children. Special needs such as physical handicaps, cognitive impairment, and the newer recognized areas of disabilities will be considered, including the implications for the teacher and federal and state legislation affecting children with special needs. Replaces (EDU 221) Special Needs for Preschool. 20-30 hours of practicum/observations in the field are required.
• • EDU 250

  • Management and Supervision in Early Childhood Education Centers

  • 3
  This is an advanced course in principles of management and supervision of child care centers. This course will include both theory and application of theory. Topics covered will include: theories of management processes and approaches of management principles and tasks of management (such as planning and organizing, staffing, leading, monitoring and controlling for quality), managing spatial resources, health and safety needs of children, managing food service, children’s programs and communication with parents and the public. Prerequisites: PSY 103
• • EDU 320

  • Early Childhood Education Field Experience & Seminar

  • 6
  Under the supervision of an EEC-certified lead teacher and the early childhood coordinator, students will be placed in an early education setting for a minimum of 150 hours of supervised teaching. Students will design and implement curriculum throughout the semester, work with early education staff, and meet the needs of children. Students will learn the pedagogy of teaching in an early education environment. Prerequisite: EDU 101, EDU 105, EDU 217, EDU 222, and PSY 103.
• • ENG 101

  • English Composition I

  • 3
  This course will emphasize developing the student’s ability to articulate his/her thoughts in writing a coherent, unified, and well- structured composition. The student will write a series of papers. The student will also learn the techniques needed to produce a library research paper. The required research paper is a major component of the course. Prerequisite: Completion of ENG 090 or placement into ENG 101.
• • ENG 102

  • English Composition II

  • 3
  A required course, which introduces the student to themes and techniques in the basic genres of literature: the short story, drama, and poetry. Expository papers may be written in response to ideas embodied in literature. Prerequisite: ENG 101 or permission of instructor.
• • HSV 103

  • Introduction to Social Work

  • 3
  The student will explore, In depth, the concepts of social work, in terms of knowledge, values and skills that are required for an effective introduction to the profession of social work. Special populations, foundational theories, functions and roles of a social worker, as well as emerging issues in society will be evaluated on a multi-systemic level. This course will assist the student In preparing for the state II censure examination at the LSWA level.
• • MGT 201

  • Principles of Management

  • 3
  An introductory course covering the general topics of planning, organizing, directing and controlling. Included are the historic developments of management as a separate discipline within organizations, the changing scope and styles of management, and the application of management principles in the business environment. Prerequisite: BUS 101.
• • PSY 101

  • General Psychology

  • 3
  This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, major theories, different theoretical perspectives and research methods in psychology. The focus is on theories of personality, motivation, learning, intelligence, emotions, developmental processes, physiological psychology, perception, and psychological assessment. Placement at ENG 101 level strongly advised.
• • PSY 103

  • Child Development

  • 3
  This course is designed to provide the student with an integrated understanding of child development as it relates to early childhood education. A broad theoretical background is combined with principles of application. Emphasis is on the social context of early development, group processes, influence of the family, role of play, and the development of cognitive capabilities. Visitations to pre-school centers required.
• • PSY 210

  • Psychology of Learning

  • 3
  This educational psychology course will explore the teaching and learning process; teaching with an emphasis on planning effective instructional strategies, classroom management, and assessment. It focuses on human development, learning theories, individual difference, and motivation. Prerequisite PSY 101.
• • PSY 216

  • Growth & Development

  • 3
  This course explores human growth and development across the lifespan, from how the fetus develops a preference for familiar voices, to the adolescent identity crisis, to the development of wisdom in late adulthood. The course is organized around major developmental periods in the lifespan. Contributions of significant developmental theorists are highlighted. Placement at ENG 101 level strongly advised.
• • PSY 301

  • Child Psychology

  • 3
  This course provides the student with a focus of child psychology from the biological, psychological and socioemotional factors of human development from conception to adolescence. Students will analyze theoretical models including Freud, Piaget, Erikson, Kohlberg, Bowlby and Elkind through a sociocultural lens. At the end of the course students should determine which theoretical models are best used to understand development in terms of physical maturation, identity, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 103 or permission of the instructor.
• • SOC 203

  • Sociology of the Family

  • 3
  This course will focus on the family as a primary social institution. Emphasis will be placed on theoretical perspectives, variations, and alternatives, as well as the changing family over the life span. Special topics include cross-cultural influences, issues related to courtship, marriage and family development, and the effects of changes in the American family. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission of the instructor.