Course Syllabus

The Essential Objective of Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Essential Objectives (adopted Fall 2024)

1. Discuss the cultural, historical, and philosophical evolution of early childhood education.
2. Explore early education programs in the context of family and community relationships, including the need for cultural competence when supporting and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
3. Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP).
4. Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards (VELS & NAEYC for children and professionals).
5. Review the elements of early childhood education curricula, the theoretical framework for different approaches to what is taught, and the pedagogy of inclusion and universal design.
6. Analyze evidence-based research on effective models of early education.
7. Examine the early intervention system and the provision of services to support the development of children with diverse abilities and/or affected by trauma.
8. Discuss the regulation of programs, staff, and facilities to ensure health and safety, including the role of the state in policy development and regulation enforcement.
9. Explore the scope and diversity of career opportunities in the field of early childhood education, the NAEYC Code of Conduct, and dispositions required for work in the field, through assignments such as informational interviews, job shadows, or other career exploration activities.1. Discuss the cultural, historical, and philosophical evolution of early childhood education.
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Morrison, Woika, & Breffni, (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education (Morrison, 9th Ed. Chap. 1: You and Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional

If your textbook has not arrived, research all of the following topics using high-quality sources,

• The six standards for becoming an early childhood education (ECE) professional.
• Developmentally appropriate practice and the inclusive classroom
• The pathways to professional development in our field
• What is meant by a "philosophy of education"?
• What are the primary roles of early childhood education professionals?

• Assignment: Due Saturday by midnight:
• Complete the reading and then develop a brief college essay in which you define and reflect on one of the topics listed below. If your textbook has not yet arrived, then develop a brief college essay about one of the topics listed below:
  • The six standards for becoming an early childhood education (ECE) professional.
  • Developmentally appropriate practice and the inclusive classroom
  • The pathways to professional development in our field
  • What is meant by a "philosophy of education"?
  • What are the primary roles of early childhood education professionals?
• Respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

• Discussion (Due Monday by midnight)Introduce yourself. The required topics will includeyour goals and why you have enrolled in this course. Add some information about your interests, and tell us about your favorite children's book. (Optional but encouraged: Add an image page of yourself in your student profile so we can all connect a name to a face! Respond to at least twoother students' posts.

#1 Essential Objective: The cultural, historical, and philosophical evolution of early childhood education.

# 3 Essential Objective: Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP).

# 5 Essential Objective "Review the elements of early childhood education curricula, the theoretical framework for different approaches to what is taught, and the pedagogy of inclusion and universal design."

Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Read Chapter 3 History and Theories

If your textbook hasn't arrived, complete the alternative assignment detailed in Canvas.

Are you still without your textbook?Please note that you will need it for Week 3. If you have any difficulties with this requirement, contact the instructorimmediately.

Assignment due Saturday by midnight:

Develop a reflective essay. An alternative assignment is detailed in Canvas if your textbook has not arrived. Respond to at least two other students' posts.

Weekly Discussion: Post by Monday at midnight

Create and post a "presentation" about one of the educational theorists. Respond to at least two other students' posts. For those without a textbook, there is also an alternative activity for this Discussion in Canvas.

# 6 Essential Objective: "Analyze evidence-based research on effective models of early education."

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Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Chap. 4. Implementing Early Childhood Programs: Applying Theories to Practice

Assignment due Saturday by midnight:

Develop and post a reflection essay about what you learned from the reading. Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Discussion due Monday by midnight:

Develop and post a draft of your early childhood educational philosophy. Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

#2 Essential Objective: "Explore early education programs in the context of family and community relationships, including the need for cultural competence when supporting and collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds."

Read Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, 9th Ed., Chap. 13: Parents, Families, and Community: Building Partnerships for Student Success

Assignment due Saturday by midnight

Develop and post a reflective essay about the chapter's content from the reading. Respond to at least two other students' posts.

Discussion due Monday by midnight:Develop and post a 12-month Family Engagement Calendar (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

# 4 Essential Objective "Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards (VELS & NAEYC for children and professionals."

Access the Vermont Early Learning Standards to identify Domains of Learning, Elements, Goals, and Indicators for Infants and Toddlers. Link: The Vermont Early Learning Standards

Read Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, 9th Ed. Chap. 7: Infants and Toddlers: Critical Years for Learning.

Assignment (due Saturday by midnight):Use the Vermont Early Learning Standards to identify Domains of Learning, Elements, Goals, and Indicators for Infants and Toddlers. Develop an activity that supports the goal you select. (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least twoother students' posts.

Discussion (due Monday by midnight):Read Morrison (Chap. 7). Discuss at least 1-2 topics that captured your attention. (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Current Issues in Early Childhood Education

Review what the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) recommends for Early Childhood Educators for Advancing Equity in its Position Statement for Advancing in Early Childhood Education. Use this link

NAEYC Position Statement on Advancing Equity

Assignment due Saturday by midnight:Review the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Position Statement on Advancing Equity. Then write about how you would implement these practices in your professional life. (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

Discussion due Monday by midnight:Develop and post a brief discussion about equity vs. equality. What is the difference, and why does it matter? (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

# 3 Essential Course Objective: "Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)."

Read Morrison, G. S. Woika, M. J. & Breffni, L. (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education., 9th Ed., Chap. 8 The Preschool Years: Getting Ready for School and Life. a

Assignment due Saturday by midnight Complete the reading first then, develop a bulleted list of developmentally appropriate practices in PreK.

Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

MIDTERM PROJECT due Monday by midnight: Develop and post an IDEAL Pre-K PROGRAM (Introduction, Schedule, and Drawings of the Layout of both classroom and outdoor classroom. (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

#8 Essential Course Objective: "Discuss the regulation of programs, staff, and facilities to ensure health and safety, including the role of the state in policy development and regulation enforcement."

Vermont Agency of Education. (2015) The Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS). Accessed: VT Agency of Education (2015) The Vermont Early Learning Standards

Assignment (Due Saturday by midnight) Develop activities that support development and learning using the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) for Younger and Older Pre-K students.

Discussion (Due Saturday by midnight) Develop activities that support development and learning using the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) for Kindergarten students.

Kindergarten Today - State Standards for Early Childhood Education

# 4 Essential Objective: "Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards (VELS & NAEYC for children and professionals."

Read Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020)Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, 9th Ed., Chap. 9 Kindergarten Today: Meeting Academic and Developmental Needs

Assignment due Saturday by midnight: assigned reading and reflection on Morrison (2020), Chap. 9 Kindergarten Today.

Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' reflections about the chapter's content.

Discussion due Monday by midnight) Conductscholarly research on current issues in Kindergarten (See Canvas Classroom for further details)

Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Technology and Remote/Online Learning Today

Read Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Chap. 6: Technology Today: Children, Families, and You.

Assignment (due Saturday by midnight):Morrison (2020) Chap. 6: Technology Today. Develop and post a reflective essay. (See Canvas Classroom for details.) Respond to at least two other students'posts.

Discussion (due Monday by midnight)Research and post a current and thoughtful article about the developmentally appropriate use of technology for PreK- Grade 3. Respond to at least two other students' posts- a minimum of two complete sentences.

Professionalism NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and dispositions required for work in the field. Guiding Principles (Vermont Agency of Education)

NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct

VT Agency of Education (n.d.) The Vermont Guiding Principles

Assignment (due bySaturday at midnight):Reviewthe NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. Develop and post an essay about our professional commitment.

Discussion (due Monday by midnight):Review the "Guiding Principles" from the VT Agency of Education and post a reflection. (See Canvas Classroom for further details)

Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Learning about our Ethical and Professional Commitment through a Discussion with colleagues

Assignment due Saturday by midnight:During the week, discuss the Code of Ethical Conduct with a co-worker, a supervisor, a fellow student, advisor, a friend, relative, etc. Let the interviewee know that it is for your college course. Then, write about that conversation: (See Canvas Classroom for further details.)

Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

No Discussion this week.

# 7 Essential Objective"Examine the early intervention system and the provision of services to support the development of children with diverse abilities and/or affected by trauma."

• Read Morrison, Woika, & Breffni (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education., 9th Ed., Chap. 5 Observing and Assessing Young Children: Guiding, Teaching, and Learning.

Assignment (due Saturday by midnight)Read Morrison (2020), Chap. 5. Select and discuss one of the Critical Issues about the Assessment of Young Children ( p. 194). (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

Discussion (due Monday by midnight)Develop and post answers to the five questions about the Observation and Assessment of young children (See Canvas Classroom for further details.) Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

# 9 Essential Objective."Explore the scope and diversity of career opportunities in the field of early childhood education, the NAEYC Code of Conduct, and dispositions required for work in the field, through assignments such as informational interviews, job shadows, or other career exploration activities."

Review a resource provided by the CCV Career Services Department

CCV Video: Making Your Resume POP

Northern Lights at CCV website

Assignment (due Saturday by midnight):After reviewing the CCV Resume video, develop a professional resume using a resume template and submit it. Be sure to change your contact information to something pretend so that you are not sharing itwith everyone in the course.

Discussion (due Monday by midnight):Review the Northern Lights on the CCV website and tell us about five fabulous features you found there.If you already know the site, let us know how you use it in your practice.

Be sure to respond to at least two other students' posts.

#3 Essential Course Objective: "Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)".

Assignment due Saturday by midnightDevelop and post a list of at least 5 changes you would make to your Ideal Preschool Program. Do not re-do your midterm.

Be sure to respond to at least 2 other students' posts.

Discussion due Monday by midnightShare just one take-away from this course- something that will stick with you for years to come.

No need to post responses for others for this discussion.