EDU 119 Introduction to Early Child Education

Lecture: 4 Lab: 0 Clinic: 0 Credits: 4

This course introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, guidance techniques, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to implement developmentally appropriate environments, guidance techniques, schedules, and teaching strategies across developmental domains to support culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families in inclusive settings, and design a personal career/professional development plan.

Course is typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At completion of the course, the student should be able to do the following:

Analyze the historical, theoretical, and philosophical foundations of the Early Childhood Education profession.

Evaluate inclusive classroom environments for all children.

Develop a personal career plan that includes a self-assessment of skills and interests, a mission statement, career goals, and ongoing professional development.

Identify effective guidance techniques and ethical behavior during observation, assessment, and interactions with young children in various settings.
Connect developmentally appropriate learning activities and teaching strategies to developmental domains in building a responsive and effective curriculum in an early childhood classroom.