St. Clair County Community College 2004-2005 Catalog
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Social Science Department 810-989-5707
ECE 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education. This course will introduce students to the field of early childhood education and the need for educated early childhood professionals. Emphasis is on the professional aspects of early childhood education and child care including historical perspectives, contributions in the field, current practices and trends, understanding the various roles of the early childhood settings and identifying quality components of such. This course will benefit both future and present early childhood professionals. Students are required to observe various early childhood settings/facilities and interview early childhood professionals working in the field.
Prerequisites: None, recommend concurrently with PSY 210 or 220
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.
ECE 108 Caring for Infants and Toddlers. This course will introduce students to the essentials of infant and toddler growth and development and the specialized care giving skills needed to work effectively with the zero to three population. Emphasis is on developmental milestones; developmentally appropriate practice; standards of quality care; and current theories, research and findings related to infants and toddlers. Students will explore the various domains of development including: physical (fine and gross motor); cognitive; emotional; social; and language, as well as gaining an understanding of the "whole" child. This course will benefit early childhood professionals working with infants and toddlers, as well as parents of infants and toddlers. Offered Fall semester only.
Prerequisites: None
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.
ECE 109 Working with School-Age Children. This course will introduce students to the care and teaching of school-age children and youth in out-of-school environments, including before- and after-school, holiday and summer programs. Emphasis is on the needs and the development of school-age children; standards of quality care; and best practices. This course will benefit early childhood professionals and others working with school-age children. Students will explore various current issues and conditions many children face
today. Other topics include: developmental theories and theorists; programming and administration, activities and curriculum planning; family and community involvement; and program accreditation.
Prerequisite: None, recommended concurrently with PSY 210 or 220
3 credits = 3 lecture
ECE 200A-D Early Childhood Education Practicum. This course will serve as a description for 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D. Students will integrate college classroom instruction with on-the-job learning through a required 64-hour practicum experience. Students will select a licensed and instructor-approved child care facility and will spend three to five hours per week over the course of the semester in the child care facility gaining direct experience working with young children. At the end of the semester, students will evaluate their experience and performance, as well as submitting journal entries and time sheet. This course must be taken concurrently with ECE 108, 109, 204, 205, 206 or 211 unless instructor permission is granted. If desired, students may take each credit at a different location to broaden their experience and knowledge for a maximum of four credits total.
Prerequisite: ECE 105 or permission of instructor
1 credit = 1 lecture/laboratory
*Students may clock hours of experience toward completion of the CDA credential.
ECE 204 Health, Safety & Nutrition for Young Children. This course will provide a comprehensive examination of the critical issues related to children's health, safety, and nutrition and the development of practical strategies for creating safe and healthy environments for young children. Emphasis is on the importance of the role early childhood professionals play in promoting good health and life-long healthy attitudes and practices for young children. This course will benefit early childhood professionals currently working with young children, those new to the field, as well as parents of young children. Topics include: SIDS, FAE/FAS; HIV/AIDS; child abuse and neglect; health appraisals and assessment tools; allergies; communicable and acute illnesses (identification and management); management of accidents and injuries; basic concepts of food, nutrition and menu planning; and educational activities and experiences for children.
Prerequisite: ECE 105 or permission of instructor
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.
ECE 205 Supportive Learning Environments for Young Children. This course will focus on creating and maintaining a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment for young children. All aspects of the early childhood setting will be explored including: physical room arrangement, floor plan, and use of space; learning centers areas or stations; schedules and daily routines; appropriate guidance and discipline techniques; social-emotional aspects and climate; and atmosphere. Emphasis is on meeting the physical needs of young children. Additional topics include: the importance of play; physical/motor
development and developmentally appropriate activities; nutrition/cooking experiences; methods of observing and recording a child's development; and establishing productive relationships with parents. Offered Fall semester only.
Prerequisites: ECE 105 and PSY 210 or PSY 220 or permission of instructor
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.
ECE 206 Developmental Curriculum for Young Children. Students will gain fundamental knowledge and skills in planning developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities designed to enhance development and foster competence in all areas of the young child. This course will focus on identifying and planning developmentally appropriate activities for young children. Additional topics include: lesson plans; theme/unit development; methods and skills which enhance children's development; dynamics of planning and conducting group activities and group management; appropriate learning materials and equipment; multi-cultural and anti-bias curriculum; communication skills; language and literacy; math, science, and social studies; songs and music; and the creative arts. Offered Winter semester only.
Prerequisites: ECE 105, PSY 210 or PSY 220, ECE 205 recommended.
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.
ECE 207 Child Development Associate (CDA) Assessment Preparation. This course is designed to assist and support students planning to complete the National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentialing Program. Students will examine the CDA Credentialing qualifications, process, procedures, and competency statements as specified by the National Credentialing Program. The instructor/field advisor will monitor and guide students in the fulfillment of national credentialing requirements. Course meets CDA requirements for formal child care training and education in content area maintaining a commitment to professionalism. Offered Winter semester only.
Prerequisites: CDA candidates must have completed or be in the process of completing (within the past five years) 120 clock hours of formal child care training and education, with no fewer than 10 clock hours in each of the eight content areas outlined by the National Credentialing Program. CDA candidates must be currently working with young children in an appropriate child care setting. See program coordinator.
Corequisites: May be taken concurrently with ECE 206.
3 credits = 3 lecture/on-site visitations
ECE 211 Creative Art for Young Children. This course will give students the knowledge and tools needed to develop rich, meaningful activities that integrate art into the early childhood curriculum. This course will benefit early childhood professionals currently working with children ages one through eight, as well as those new to the field. Emphasis is on developmentally appropriate
practices and designing safe, open-ended art experiences and activities. Students will explore a variety of art mediums appropriate for young children including: drawing, collage, painting, play dough and clay, printmaking, fiber art, sculpture, group art, and art for dramatic play. Other topics include: children's artistic development; the creative process; child-centered and child-directed activities; thematic teaching; and integrating art with language arts, music, science, math, and social studies.
Prerequisite: ECE 105 or permission of instructor; recommended concurrently with ECE 206.
3 credits = 3 lecture
NOTE: Students may clock hours of formal child care training and education toward completion of CDA, renewal of CDA, the Michigan Department of Education Paraprofessional requirements, and child care licensing requirements for Michigan.