WNC's Early Childhood Education program is an occupational preparation program which concentrates on the teaching skills needed to work with young children and parents. Students may earn an Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement oran Associate of Applied Science degree to help them gain employment in the child care or related field.
Some courses transfer to local colleges and universities, providing a "career ladder" opportunity for students who are seeking additional training for jobs in the care and education of infants, preschoolers and handicapped young children.
The curriculum includes experience with children to develop teaching skills; classes in human development and interpersonal relationships; and instruction on how to select, plan and present learning activities.
Successful completion of the Early Childhood Education certificate or associate degree is designed to qualify students for such employment opportunities as assistants, teachers and directors in child care centers; teachers and assistants in preschools; home day care providers and other child/family related careers.
Courses in Early Childhood Education as listed in the 2008-2009 WNC catalog. Back to the Early Childhood Education main page.
| Courses |
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| ECE |
121 |
Parent Care Relations |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Helps students acquire various communication skills to enhance parent/caregiver relationships. Covers interpersonal communication, listening skills and cooperative problem solving. |
| ECE |
122 |
Observation Skills |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Provides parents and teachers various formal and informal methods to enhance their observation and assessment skills. Discussion includes methods for use with developmentally delayed children. |
| ECE |
123 |
Health & Nutrition For the Young Child |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Examines the health and nutritional needs of young children. Develops skills in menu planning, selecting safe equipment and toys, routines to ensure good health and policies on illness. |
| ECE |
129 |
Environment For Infant & Toddler |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Helps students choose equipment and materials to create a physical environment which is responsive to the infant/toddler total development. Staff considerations and time schedules will be explored. |
| ECE |
133 |
Introduction to Managing Children's Behavior |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Exposes students to the basics of handling classroom behaviors. |
| ECE |
151 |
Math In the Preschool Curriculum |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Studies activities and materials for developing mathematics readiness in the preschool. |
| ECE |
152 |
Science in the Preschool Curriculum |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Studies activities and materials for teaching science in the preschool. |
| ECE |
153 |
Language Development in the Preschool |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Studies development of language in preschool children. Emphasizes activities and materials for fostering development of receptive and expressive language skills in the preschool child. |
| ECE |
154 |
Literature For Preschool Children |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Surveys books for use with preschool children. Includes techniques of storytelling and reading to children. |
| ECE |
155 |
Literacy and the Young Child |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Emphasizes activities and materials for developing auditory and visual perception and other reading readiness skills in the preschool. |
| ECE |
156 |
Music in the Preschool Curriculum |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Outlines activities and materials for teaching music in the preschool, including songs, dances and rhythm activities. |
| ECE |
157 |
Art in the Preschool Curriculum |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Describes activities and materials for teaching art in the preschool, including creative development and enjoyment of art through various materials and activities. |
| ECE |
158 |
Activities in Physical Development in Young Children |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Introduces activities and equipment for enhancing gross motor development of the preschool child. |
| ECE |
167 |
Child Abuse & Neglect |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Provides the opportunity for students to learn the legal definition, symptoms, causes, and reporting procedures of child abuse and neglect. The class will include discussion of the roles and responsibilities of community agencies such as law enforcement, social services, child care personnel, medical and psychosocial professionals. |
| ECE |
168 |
Infectious Diseases and First Aid |
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Credits: 1. Prerequisites: none
Provides information about infectious diseases and first aid measures in the child care setting. Course content will include recognizing communicable and acute illnesses, management of accidents and injuries, preventive measures, health education, current research, and community resources. |
| ECE |
198B |
Special Topics in Child Development |
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Credits: 1–6. Prerequisites: none
Studies issues related to child development and early childhood education. |
| ECE |
200 |
The Exceptional Child |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: none
Surveys the characteristics and specific needs of special children. Emphasizes teaching and behavioral management as well as available support services. |
| ECE |
204 |
Principles of Child Guidance |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: none
Studies effective communication with children in guiding behavior. Emphasis will be placed on techniques which help children build positive self-concepts and individual strengths within the context of appropriate limits and discipline. The study includes uses of direct and indirect guidance techniques as well as introduction to guidance systems. |
| ECE |
231 |
Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab |
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Credits: 1–6. Prerequisites: ECE 251 or consent of instructor
Allows students to work directly with young children under supervision of a master teacher for three hours per week per credit. Students will contract with the instructor and supervisor for completion of projects. Projects will be related to such areas as routines in the preschool, advanced curriculum planning and implementation, or communication techniques with parents. Lesson plans will be completed and carried out with children. |
| ECE |
235 |
Adapting Curricula to Young Children With Special Needs |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: none. Recommended: ECE 251 & HDFS 201 or ECE 250
Studies educational procedures used with young children with special needs and their families. Validated teaching procedures will be introduced including identification and referral, program planning, organizing the learning environment, promoting behavior change and adapting curriculum domains. |
| ECE |
240 |
Administration of Preschool |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: ECE 250
Studies principles and practices in supervision and management of preschool and child care centers, including program planning, organization, budgeting, personnel records, relationships with community resources, regulatory agencies and working with parents. |
| ECE |
250 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: none
Introduces students to early childhood education. This course includes the history of child care, regulations, types of programs, legal issues, professional opportunities and current trends and issues. Emphasis is placed on the role of the preschool teacher in enhancing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth of preschool-aged children. |
| ECE |
251 |
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education |
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Credits: 3. Prerequisites: ECE 250
Considers methods of planning and teaching curriculum for children 3-5 years old. Included will be curriculum development, children's play, lesson planning, and daily scheduling. Emphasis will be on curriculum development for children 3-5 years old in areas such as art, science, literature, music, language arts, block, dramatic play, etc. |
