ECH 121(3-0-3)
Introduction to Early Childhood
This course examines the fundamental philosophies of early childhood education from historical perspective. This course emphasizes quality early childhood programming and its significance in educating children birth through eight years of age. This course allows students to reflect upon their role as potential teachers and advocates for children while identifying how service learning experiences are integrated in early childhood education. Ten observation hours are required. This course requires that students complete the following documentation by Week 4: 1) Medical consent to work with children and a negative TB test, 2) Notarized criminal conviction statement, and 3) Signed agreement to uphold the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and SCCC ECH Professional Behaviors.
F
ECH 123(3-0-3)
Curricular Methods I and Assessment
This course focuses on curriculum development and assessment in early childhood education. It introduces students to the important frameworks for planning, implementing, and evaluating curricula as it impacts child development and the various content areas. In-depth studies of developmentally appropriate curriculum models provide emphasis on the methods and strategies that inform the development of meaningful and relevant curriculum. Assessment driven learning, environment and curriculum development is applied. Students spend a minimum of ten hours observing in an early childhood environment.
ECH 131(1-8-4)
Early Childhood Field Instruction and Seminar I
This course allows students the opportunity for direct practical teaching and learning in early childhood education within community agencies and/or the SCCC Early Childhood Program Laboratory Preschool. Additionally, in a seminar setting, students reflect on and share their experiences. Students will spend eight to ten hours per week in their field placement to accumulate a minimum of 130 hours.
PR: ECH 121 and ECH 123
ECH 220(3-0-3)
Engendering Creativity: Arts in the Classroom
This course is an exploration of creative expression with an emphasis placed on the importance of the arts in every child's education. As students unlock their own creative potential, they also become skilled at using methods and techniques that encourage creative development in young children. Students reflect on aesthetics while analyzing the movements and techniques of the visual arts and the genres and elements of music. Students then apply their understanding by presenting art, music, and drama activities to young children. Throughout the semester, students develop an art and music portfolio.
ECH 223(3-0-3)
Curricular Methods II and the Development of Inquiry Skills
This course focuses on the early developmental abilities of children ages birth to eight years in social studies, math and science. Sensory, preoperational and concrete operational thought processes of conservation, seriation, observation, comparison, classification, and number concepts will be examined through the use of concrete social studies, math, and science materials and experiences that foster student quantitative and analytical thinking. The course requires students to implement developmentally appropriate social students, math, and science activities which address diversity in children's learning styles. A service learning experience is required.
PR: ECH 123
ECH 225(3-2-4)
Fostering Emergent Literacy
The course examines the development of literacy skills in children ages birth to 8 years. Multiple opportunities to recognize the developmental stages in literacy acquisition, to indentify factors that influence literacy development, and to discuss how to design and implement a literacy program are provided. Genre of literature, curricular themes, and resources for children of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are empasized. Guidelines for the design and implementation of literature- based activities are applied throughout the course. Students will observe for a minimum of 15 hours in an early childhood literacy environment.
ECH 227(3-0-3)
Guidance of Young Children
This course focuses on the early developmental abilities of children ages birth to eight years and approriate utilization of guidance strategies to enhance children's self esteem and consequently increase children's self- discipline skills. The correlation between children's environments and behaviors will be researched. The importance of play, social interactions, and family expectations on children's development will be analyzed.
ECH 231(1-8-4)
Early Childhood Field Instruction and Seminar II
This course allows students the opportunity for direct practical teaching and learning in early childhood education within community agencies or the SCCC Early Childhood Program Laboratory Preschool. The course requires students to reflect on and share their experiences in a seminar setting. The course also requires students to spend eight to ten hours per week in their field placement to accumulate a minimum of 130 hours. A service learning implementation is required.
PR: ECH 131
F
ECH 252(3-0-3)
Care of Infants and Toddlers
This course examines infant and toddler development with an emphasis on the importance of the first thirty-six months in relation to human development. Attachment, early brain research and developmentally approriate practices will be emphasized as critical factors which impact a caregiver's role in meeting individual children's needs. Students complete ten hours of observational field work in this course.
ECH 255(3-0-3)
Administration of Early Childhood Programs
This course provides administrative management training in the field of Early Childhood Education. This course addresses issues and techniques involved in the set-up, organization and administration of early childhood environments. Focus is placed on the initiation and maintenance of an early childhood program which includes the investigation and application of pertinent skills necessary to perform as an effective and competent program director. Ten hours of field work will be completed in this course.
ECH 260(1-0-1)
ECH Portfolio Seminar
This capstone seminar is intended for ECH majors who are about to graduate from their two-year ECH program. Students will review the knowledge and skills they have already acquired and begin to demonstrate their proficiency in a pre-professional portfolio. Opportunity is provided for technical assistance on an individual basis. Each student will assemble a portfolio as a summative experience to be presented to a professional review team.
PR: ECH 231
