Course Description:

Early Childhood I This year-long course begins with an introduction to personal and professional preparation for continued education, training, and careers in early childhood. Major topics of study in this course are history and trends of early childhood education, stages of child development, ranging from birth through age five, and children’s health and safety. Students are introduced to MSDHGuidelines and Regulations Governing Child Care Facilities. Other topics covered are related to the importance of observing and assessing children. Methods of child guidance techniques are also introduced in this course. Participation in a student organization is ongoing. Students will participate in field experience, internships, and job-shadowing. Students will develop skills toward meeting requirements for the CDA credential.

Early Childhood I Units 1 Orientation I 2 Health and Safety 3 History and Trends ofEarly Childhood Education 4 Child Development: Infants-EarlyChildhood Years 5 Observation, Assessment, and Guidance

Early Childhood II This course focuses on curriculum planning and the development of age-appropriate activities and lesson plans that encompass all areas of child development and administration and management techniques needed in order to operate a successful, quality child care facility. Other major topics covered in this course are related to state licensing requirements for child care facilities, management principles as a center director (including responsibilities regarding management of personnel, the facility’s physical indoor and outdoor space, inventory, record-keeping, accreditation, parental involvement, marketing, budgeting, and maintaining a healthy, effective learning environment). Students will continue to develop educational, career, and professional plans in the area of early childhood. Participation in a student organization is ongoing. Students will participate in field experience, internships, and job-shadowing. Students will continue to develop skills toward meeting requirements for the CDA credential.

Early Childhood II Units 6 Orientation II 7 Characteristics ofQuality Child Care Programs 8 The Learning Environment 9 Curriculum Development 10 Management and Administration 11C areer Development and Professionalism