Course Syllabus

The Essential Objectives of Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Essential Objectives (adopted Fall 2026)

Essential Objectives

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. [NAEYC Standard 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 4a, 4c]
3. Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP). [NAEYC Standard 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b, 4c]
4. Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards. [NAEYC Standard 6b]
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. [NAEYC Standard 1d, 4b, 4c, 5b]
6. Analyze evidence-based research on effective models of early education. [NAEYC Standard 1d, 4b, 5c, 6a]
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. [NAEYC Standard 1a, 2c]
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. [NAEYC Standard 6b]
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. [NAEYC Standard 6a, 6b]

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 include your 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 two other students' posts.

Week Two: Addresses the following Essential Objectives of this Course

1. Discuss the cultural, historical, and philosophical evolution of early childhood education.
[NAEYC Standard 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 4a, 4c]

3. Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP). [NAEYC Standard 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b, 4c]

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. [NAEYC Standard 1d, 4b, 4c, 5b]

Link to NAEYC Standards

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 instructor immediately.

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.

In Week 3, we explore the following essential objective of this course.

6.Analyze evidence-based research on effective models of early education. [NAEYC Standard 1d, 4b, 5c, 6a]

Link to the NAEYC Standards

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

Students will also examine real-life programs that are currently using evidence-based models of early education.

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.

In Week 4, we will focus on the following Essential Objective of this Course.

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. [NAEYC Standard 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 4a, 4c]

Link to NAEYC Standards

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.

In Week 5, we will focus on the following Essential Objective of this course.

4.Discuss national and state standards for the provision of education to young children and how early childhood education programs meet these standards. [NAEYC Standard 6b]

Link to the NAEYC Standards

Access the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) 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 two other 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.

In Week 6, we will focus further on the following Essential Objective of the course.

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. [NAEYC Standard 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 4a, 4c]

Link to NAEYC Standards

Review what the National Association for the Education of Young Children (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 onAdvancing Equity- review specificallythe "Recommendations for Early Childhood Educators."

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.

In Week 7 (Midterm),students will bring together all that they have learned thus far about the following Essential Objectives for this course:

3. Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP). [NAEYC Standard 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b, 4c]

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. [NAEYC Standard 1d, 4b, 4c, 5b]

Link to NAEYC Standards

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.

Assignment due Saturday by midnight.Complete the reading first, then develop a quick bulleted list of practices that you have identified that are 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.

We will focus on the following Essential Objective of the Course

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. [NAEYC Standard 6b]

Link to the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards

Vermont Child Development Division Rules and Regulations

Monitoring Checklist

Reading/Resource Review: Explore both the national standards related to Health and Safety (NAEYC). Also, explore the Vermont Child Development (CDD) health and safety rules and regulations for early education programs. For the topic of monitoring, I have also included the Monitoring Checklist. This is a tool that Vermont licensers use to monitor licensed early childhood programs in the area of health and safety.

As you review, take a few notes about what you have learned. Many students in this course will be deeply familiar with the CDD regulations for licensed settings. If that is the case for you, take notes on what you believe is important to highlight.

Assignment:

1. Post a few Review Notesabout what you have learned. Many students in this course will be deeply familiar with the CDD regulations for licensed settings. If that is the case for you, take notes on what you believe is important to highlight.

2. Develop a descriptive essay about how a program staff group in a licensed child care setting (early childhood education) can meet the national and Vermont state rules and regulations throughout a typical day.

For example, what do the staff members do throughout the day to ensure health and safety for the children, families, and themselves? Think about what they might be doing as they arrive, during the opening of the program, during indoor and outdoor learning activities, during routines such as mealtimes and personal hygiene (handwashing, toothbrushing, etc.). At the end of the day, what might they do to ensure health and safety? Also, how do they ensure health and safety in their interactions with families and the community?

In Week 9, we will focus further on the following Essential Objective of the Course, which is:

# 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.

Link to the NAEYC Standards

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

Vermont Early Learning Standards:Look at the Domains of Learning and Development and click on Kindergarten

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) Conduct scholarly research on current issues in Kindergarten (See Canvas Classroom for further details)

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

Technology Use in the Early Childhood Education Programs

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. Be sure the article was designed for educators rather than families.

In Week 11, we will focus on the topic of professionalism

What are the professional ethics required for work in the field from a national and Vermont State perspective?

NAEYC's Code of Ethics

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

Assignment (due by Saturday at midnight):Review the 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.

In Week 12, students will focus their learning on this Essential Objective of the Course:

9. "....the NAEYC Code of Conduct and dispositions required for work in the field."

NAEYC Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators. To access it, open this link and select your langauge and it pops up from there.

Vermont Guiding Principles

Assignment due Saturday by midnight:

Research portion:During the week, share the link to the Vermont Guiding Principles with a co-worker, supervisor, fellow student, advisor, friend, relative, etc.Ask them to set up a time to discuss it.Let the interviewee know that it is for your college course.

Write: Then, write about that conversation: (See Canvas Classroom for further details.)

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

There is no Discussion this week.

In Week 13, student focus their learning on the following Essential Objectives of the course:

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. [NAEYC Standard 1a, 2c]

NAEYC Early Childhood Education Standards

• 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.

During Week 14, students will focus their learning on the following Essential Objective of this course:

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. [NAEYC Standard 6a, 6b]

Morrison (2020) Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education,Chapter 1: The EC Professional: Six Standards of Professionalism

CCV Career Development Services

Northern Lights at CCV website

Assignment (due Saturday by midnight): Review materials to create a professional resume and submit for reveiw and feedback. Be sure to change your contact information to something pretend so that you are not sharing it with 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.

In Week 15, students will bring together all that we have learned this term about the following the following Essential Objective for this course:

# 3: Understand the theories of child development and how they relate to the implementation of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP). [NAEYC Standard 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b, 4c]

NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards

Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS)

Assignment due Saturday by midnight. Develop andpost 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 midnight. Share justone 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.