Last Update: 9/23/05

This course is for students interested in exploring a career in the field of early childhood education. The course traces the history and scope of programs for infants, toddlers and young children and lays the foundation for understanding the common denominators in quality early childhood experiences. It involves students in a series of visits and observations in a wide variety of early childhood programs and other natural environmental settings, thus providing students with knowledge of developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive practices. The course also covers issues pertaining to infants and young children with special needs, and helps students acquire skills that make them better observers of individual differences in young children. Education and licensing requirements for such programs are explored with a view toward helping the student identify career goals

All assignments will be graded on CONTENT, STYLE, AND APPLICATION OF THEORY.  Content is the essential information that is required by the direction of an assignment.  Review the questions of an assignment to make sure you have answered them completely.  Style is how well the assignment is written.  This includes word processing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanics.  Application of theory is at the heart of the field of early childhood education. 

Unless otherwise indicated, grading of assignments will be as follows:

Content     70%

Style          15%

Application of theory     15%