Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Provides an introduction to the profession of Early Childhood Education (ECE). Course content includes eight 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. This course addresses children ages birth through 8 years.

Provides an exploration of guidance theories, techniques, and practices used to support young children’s ability to learn and engage in prosocial interactions with peers and adults. This course covers factors that influence children’s behaviors, as well as aspects of early childhood educator professionalism related to ethical and equitable guidance practice. This course addresses children ages birth through 8 years.

Focuses on a classroom seminar and placement in a child care setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe children, to practice appropriate interactions, and to develop effective guidance and management techniques. Addresses ages birth through age 8.

Presents an 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.

Includes a classroom seminar and placement in an infant and\or toddler setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe, to practice appropriate interactions and to develop effective guidance and nurturing techniques with infants and\or toddlers. Addresses ages prenatal through age 2.

Incorporates lab experience in before/after school, summer camp, or elementary school programs. Focuses on planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum for school age children. Includes assisting the supervising teacher in all activities.

Focuses on nutrition, health, and safety as key factors for optimal growth and development of young children. This course includes nutrition knowledge, menu planning, food program participation, health practices, management and safety, appropriate activities, and communication with families for early childhood educators. This course addresses children ages birth through 12 years.

Provides a foundational understanding of the observation and assessment of young children’s development and learning environments. This course also examines the current research on the continuous practice of observing and assessing children’s development and incorporates practice with a variety of assessment instruments, particularly evidence-based and authentic assessment.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

To be determined by the individual instructor. A Course Description will be developed for each course and documented within the course syllabus. Refer to the SFCC Style Guide for Course Description, Required Course Learning Outcome, and Topical Outline guidelines.

Examines personal and professional dispositions and strategies impacting partnerships with diverse families, including perspectives that recognize diversity and promote equity in early care and education settings. The course covers theoretical perspectives of families and communities, communication strategies, and activities used to promote family partnerships, and explores community resources to support children and their families.

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

Provides an overview of growth, development, and learning of young children from birth through 12 years. The course includes the major theories of development as integrated in developmental domains and offers opportunities to practice effective research and assessment methods to gather child development information. This course also includes practical applications of child development knowledge to responsive teaching practices.

Provides foundational knowledge in early childhood program business operations, program development, and evaluation. This course covers administrative skills, ethical decision making, risk and resource management, and components of quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs serving children ages birth through 12 years.

Focuses on the human relations component of an early childhood professional’s responsibilities. This course includes director-staff relationships, staff development, leadership strategies, family-professional partnerships, and community interaction.

Presents an overview of critical elements related to educating young children with disabilities or special needs in the early childhood setting. Topics include: typical and atypical development; legal requirements; research-based practices related to inclusion; teaming and collaboration; and accommodations and adaptations. This course examines how a disability or special need may impact a young child’s learning process. This course addresses children ages birth through 8 years.

Incorporates a supervised field experience in a program serving exceptional children in an inclusive setting. The course focuses on the responsibility for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities, supporting classroom adaptations and accommodations, practicing appropriate interactions, and developing effective guidance and nurturing techniques.

Explores planning and implementing effective early childhood curriculum for children, from birth through age eight years, including developmentally and culturally appropriate classroom environments, and written curriculum plans. The course also covers curricular content areas relevant to early childhood.

Examines theories of cognitive and language development as a framework for conceptualizing the way children acquire thinking skills. Includes observing, planning, facilitating, creative representation, and evaluating strategies within the context of play. Focuses on language, science, math, problem solving and logical thinking. Addresses ages birth through age 8.

Explores creative learning theories and evidence-based practices related to creative self-expression with young children. The course emphasizes the teacher’s role in encouraging and supporting creativity and problem-solving skills. The course also addresses the use of developmentally appropriate curriculum planning to promote creative self-expression in all developmental domains for children ages birth through 8 years.

Provides foundational knowledge of the developmental progression of language and literacy acquisition of mono- and bi-lingual children age’s birth to age 8. This course provides opportunities to explore and practice language and literacy teaching strategies to use with young children in home, classroom, and community settings.

Examines 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.