2006-07 Catalog Archive (Archived July 31, 2006)
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Early Childhood Education (EC)
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Early Childhood Education provides students with a sound foundation in theoretical and practical aspects of child care services. Courses in the curriculum will establish strengths in oral and written communication, problem solving, and evaluative skills. Students will have an understanding of the social and psychological factors that influence a child and which reflect the overall social environment. The fieldwork experience provides students with the opportunity to work directly with young children, drawing upon the principles and professional practices covered in the course work.
Career Opportunities: Group supervisor, assistant group supervisor, Head Start teacher, Head Start home-based teacher, teacher's aide, house parent, child caseworker's aide, assistant teacher, family home day care operator, and group day care home operator. Individuals interested in establishing themselves as family home day care providers will receive excellent preparation.
Recommended High School Subjects: Three years of English, at least one year of child development.
Remediation Strategies: All students entering the major will be tested for English, reading, and mathematics deficiencies. Any reading deficiencies should be corrected prior to beginning the major. Students will be expected to remediate any other deficiencies during their first year in the major.
Transfer Procedures: This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College and detailed in the Information section (see "Transferring Credits") of this catalog. Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Program Goals: A graduate of this major should be able to:
- apply principles of psychology, sociology, mathematics, and natural science to personal and career situations.
- identify indicators and norms/milestones of typical and atypical child development: cognitive, language, psycho-social, and motor.
- understand the interrelationship of physical, social, and psychological well-being and apply this knowledge.
- apply knowledge of child development, cultural contexts theory and methodological approaches to create healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging learning environments for young children.
- understand and demonstrate the skills and strategies necessary for developing positive interpersonal relationships that support and empower children and their families.
- understand the goals, benefits, techniques, and responsible uses of assessment.
- plan, organize, and implement developmentally appropriate activities with young children, using a variety of techniques and materials that encompass aesthetics, creativity, and a sound knowledge of child development.
- adapt methods and materials to provide developmentally appropriate activities for all children, including those with varying abilities and those served in multi-aged settings.
- identify and access appropriate children's services and community resources to better serve and advocate for young children and their families.
- use developmentally appropriate techniques to guide young children's behaviors and promote development and encourage positive relationships.
- identify and respond appropriately to childhood conditions regarding health, safety, and nutrition.
- perform a wide variety of tasks found in typical employment settings in the early care and education field.
- comply with a variety of legal, organizational and professional rules and standards associated with the provision of early childhood education services including proper report and document preparation.
- act in a professional manner when interacting with children, staff, colleagues, families and community, using the ethical guidelines and standards of the early childhood profession.
| First Semester | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU100 | Child Development | 3 | |
| EDU101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| CSC110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| PSY111 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| 15 | |||
| Second Semester | Credits | ||
| EDU262 | Language Arts in Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| EDU125 | Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Education I | 3 | |
| PSY210 | Child Psychology | 3 | |
| EDU201 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Early Childhood | 3 | |
| ENL121 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| or | |||
| ENL201 | Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| MTH | Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
| Third Semester | Credits | ||
| EDU210 | Observation and Communication with Young Children | 3 | |
| EDU225 | Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Education II | 3 | |
| EDU268 | Methods and Materials for Infants and Toddlers | 3 | |
| SOC111 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | |
| or | |||
| SOC231 | Marriage and the Family | 3 | |
| SPC101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3 | |
| or | |||
| SPC201 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| FIT204 | First Aid, Responding to Emergencies | 2 | |
| 17 | |||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | ||
| EDU256 | Early Childhood Practicum | 3 | |
| EDU230 | Young Children with Special Needs | 3 | |
| EDU | Education Elective | 3 | |
| HSR240 | Management and Administration in Human Services | 3 | |
| OEA | Open Elective | 3 | |
| SCI | Science Elective | 3 | |
| 18 | |||
Additional Information: CDA (Child Development Associate) - Two CDA national credentials are available to graduates when they complete additional center-based supervised field experience as well as the assessments required by the national CDA office. Penn College Early Childhood faculty are certified CDA trainers.
Notice of Conviction: Children's Services Protection Act 33 and/or Act 34 clearance is required in order to take EDU 256, Early Childhood Practicum. Students desiring entrance into the Early Childhood major should be aware that early childcare providers could bar a student from their site if a criminal record exists or if a positive drug test is noted. Inability to gain internship experience in the practicum results in an inability to meet program objectives and outcomes. The presence of a criminal record can also result in early childcare providers refusing to issue credentials necessary for employment.