Catalog: 2011–2012 Catalog Year

Course Descriptions

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Social Science, Education, Humanities & Public Service Division

ECE 121: Parent Care Relations

Units (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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: none

Exposes students to the basics of handling classroom behaviors.

ECE 151: Math In the Preschool Curriculum

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: none

Studies activities and materials for developing mathematics readiness in the preschool.

ECE 152: Science in the Preschool Curriculum

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: none

Studies activities and materials for teaching science in the preschool.

ECE 153: Language Development in the Preschool

Units (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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (Credits): 1; Prerequisites: none

Introduces activities and equipment for enhancing gross motor development of the preschool child.

ECE 167: Child Abuse & Neglect

Units (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

Units (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 198: Special Topics in Child Development

Units (Credits): 1–6; Prerequisites: none

Studies issues related to child development and early childhood education. Note: Non-transferable for an NSHE baccalaureate degree. Non-applicable towards an AA or AS Degree.

ECE 200: The Exceptional Child

Units (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

Units (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. Includes use of direct and indirect guidance techniques as well as introduction to guidance systems.

ECE 231: Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab

Units (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

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: none; Recommended: ECE 251 & HDFS 201, 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

Units (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

Units (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

Units (Credits): 3; Prerequisites: ECE 250

Considers methods of planning and teaching curriculum for children 3-5 years old. Includes 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.



© 2012 Western Nevada College
Privacy Policy | Site Policies | WNC en Español | Home
Information: 775-445-3000
General Questions: info_desk@wnc.edu