Early Childhood Studies Minor

This course describes how the cognitive processes of thought, perception, attention, and problem-solving develop in infants and young children. Students will have the opportunity to explore the value of active learning in the development of knowledge, the specific ways in which children construct knowledge, and the theoretical models that support cognitive development at home and in school. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course explores the concept of active learning and its importance to children's construction of knowledge through perception and movement, essentials of every learning experience. (3 units; Fall & Online)

This course introduces students to the process through which a child develops a sense of self within a socio-cultural system. Students will learn the significance of a supportive interpersonal environment for personality development. They will evaluate theories of emotional and personality development in infants and young children. They will describe the effects of social and emotional development on learning. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Assessment procedures for use with infants, toddlers, and preschool children with disabilities. Includes information on basic assessment issues and concerns, specialized assessment instruments for particular developmental domains, and recommended procedures for assessing young children with mild to moderate disabilities. Students will become familiar with a wide range of assessment approaches and understand how assessment results can be used in curriculum planning and program evaluation for general and special education. (3 units; Spring & Online)

Students will reflect on current trends and research in early intervention, including instructional content and practice for young children with disabilities. Students will apply and synthesize knowledge of early childhood intervention practice and research through analysis of videotapes and case studies as well as field work experiences. (3 units; Fall & OPS)

Students will investigate learning environments for young children including home learning, hospital intervention programs, childcare centers, public school environments, and residential programs. They will examine the characteristics of model learning environments and how to plan for non-disabled children as well as children with various types of disabilities. (3 units; Fall & Online)

Students will investigate how issues of culture affect beliefs and relationships among professionals and families with young children including children with disabilities and how multiple perspectives can affect child outcomes. Students will choose an area of interest to investigate using problem-based learning and present the result of their research to class members. (3 units; Fall & OPS)

This course will provide an introduction to the theory and practice of curriculum development in Pre-K settings with a specific focus on STEM integrated with the Arts. Students will learn how to design, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate programming (DAP) as well as the educator's responsibility in providing experiences that cultivate development of the whole child. Prerequisites: ECH 320, 340, and 350. (3 units; Spring & OPS)