Education and licensing requirements for early childhood programs and career opportunities in this area are explored. This course provides a developmental framework for planning and implementing experiences which support and extend children's ability to use language as a means of communication, as a medium of creative expression, and as a tool in the development of logical thought. It introduces techniques for assessing children's language skills and for developing a program to meet these needs through individual interactions and group activities. The course reviews the field of children's literature and provides practice in skills of story selection, story reading, and storytelling for young children. This course applies child development principles to the planning of science and mathematics experiences for young children.
Course work includes participation in experiments and field experiences in life sciences.
Students are required to plan, implement, and evaluate science and mathematics activities with young children. This course applies child development principles to planning multi-cultural art, music, and movement experiences for young children. Emphasis is on providing conditions that encourage development of creativity and aesthetic awareness. Class work includes workshops and field experiences in planning and implementing appropriate creative experiences with young children. The focus of this course is the role of early childhood staff in developing positive relationships with parents which enhance children's healthy growth and development.