ECE/206 - Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education

Course Description

This course provides a foundation of curriculum and instruction in early childhood education, from a historical and theoretical perspective through the application of current developmentally-appropriate best practices. Participants discover lesson plan development and methodologies for instruction. Additionally, strategies for assessment, diversity of populations, and the importance of collaborative partnerships with family and community are also explored.

This undergraduate course is 5 weeks.

PLEASE NOTE:
Attendance and participation are mandatory in all university courses, and specific requirements may differ by course. If attendance requirements are not met, a student may be removed from the course. Please review the Course Attendance Policy in the Catalog for more information.

This course is not available for enrollment to residents of Alabama, Arkansas, and Kentucky.

Course Objectives

Introduction to Early Childhood Education

• Describe historical contributors and theories that have evolved into current practices, policies, and guidelines regarding early childhood education.
• Define the key roles and responsibilities of early childhood educators.
• Identify characteristics and developmental needs of children in the early childhood learning environment.
• Identify strategies for working effectively with families and community stakeholders.

Setting the Stage for Learning

• Explain how to implement effective small-group and whole-group activities.
• Summarize the needs for organizing the physical environment to support children's learning.
• Identify appropriate behavioral expectations.
• Describe behavior management strategies that effectively influence children's behavior.
• Identify challenges for early childhood programs that may affect children’s learning.

Curriculum and Instruction

• Analyze the domains within the Children's Comprehensive Curriculum.
• Describe a variety of approaches and strategies that can be used in planning curriculum.
• Develop ways to integrate curriculum through imaginary and constructive play.
• Indicate ways in which developmentally appropriate curricula and best practices can be created.
• Identify differentiated instructional strategies that address the developmental and learning needs of children.

Assessment

• Explain the goals, benefits, and usage of assessment to guide learning and developmental objectives.
• Describe different forms of authentic assessment and evaluation tools to promote positive outcomes for each child.
• Identify the purpose of early intervention strategies and progress monitoring in the assessment process.
• Explain how to evaluate educator and program effectiveness.

Valuing Diversity

• Define how to create and implement a diverse curriculum in early childhood programs.
• Apply understanding of children with exceptionalities to enhance program effectiveness.
• Compare personal and social development of children.
• Identify classroom practices that promote valuing diversity in an early childhood program.

Disclaimers

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.

Although our continuing teacher education courses are accepted by some state agencies in the United States toward teacher certifications and endorsements, this may not be the case in all states or foreign jurisdictions. If you plan to use courses for certification or endorsement, please check with your own state agency and your school district for applicability. Continuing teacher education courses are not eligible to apply to degree programs at University of Phoenix. These courses are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with an Enrollment Representative.