ECE/511 - Language and Literacy Methods in Early Childhood Education

Course Description

This course focuses on theoretical and developmentally appropriate teaching methods in language and literacy for children from birth to age eight. Theories in language development, including second language acquisition, as well as the needs of English language learners are examined. Participants will explore research-based early literacy teaching strategies for engaging children in integrated listening, speaking, reading, and writing experiences. There is an emphasis on incorporating content area standards and developing hands-on learning experiences for young children. Additionally, developmentally effective assessments are discussed as a means of guiding instruction.

This graduate course is 4 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

Language Development and Milestones

• Compare the differences between voice, speech, and language.
• Examine the three major theories of language.
• Investigate the parent/caregiver’s role in language development.
• Identify language milestones from birth to age eight.
• Discuss the resources available to identify and support language development concerns.

Infants and Toddlers: 0–36 Months

• Describe the stages and milestones of language development for infants and toddlers.
• Distinguish between receptive and expressive language and discuss the role of each in infant language development.
• Summarize what it means to be in the prelinguistic stage of language development.
• Identify literacy concepts acquired from early reading experiences and drawing.
• Examine developmentally appropriate teaching strategies and activities to promote language skills and literacy development in infants and toddlers.
• Identify the characteristics of environments that promote language and literacy development for toddlers.
• Develop hands-on learning experiences that promote early literacy for English-only speakers and English language learners.

Preschool: Ages 3–5

• Define emergent literacy.
• Summarize reading and writing development in typically developing preschool children.
• Compare the importance of verbal skills (vocabulary, listening, speaking, semantics, and syntax) and later success in reading.
• Develop strategies to promote literacy skills and a print-rich environment in the classroom.
• Determine ways to integrate English language learners in the preschool classroom.

Primary: Ages 6–8

• Examine patterns of language development including phonology and pragmatics for English-only speakers and English language learners in the primary years.
• Identify the stages of reading and writing development in the primary years.
• Analyze the learning needs of English language learners to help promote literacy in primary years.
• Develop direct learning experiences to support language and literacy development in the primary years.
• Evaluate the role of assessments for guiding literacy instruction.

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.