2022–2023 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 111 EEC2225 Guiding Children’s Behavior 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore how to use guidance in the early childhood setting, with an emphasis on understanding why young children exhibit certain behaviors, and how we can meet the child’s needs effectively and with support. Students will learn how to provide positive guidance to young children with challenging behavior. Prerequisite: None EEC2270 Introduction to English Language Learners 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore effective ways to adapt English language instruction to teach learners in our increasingly diverse population of young children and families. They will examine a range of communication styles, learning styles, and behaviors that affect English language teaching and learning. They will analyze the development of English language skills in all domains through social and cultural lenses. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC2271 Curriculum and Instruction for Children with Special Needs 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore how to adapt developmentally appropriate curriculum to support the development of children with special needs. They will learn strategies for effective partnering with other professionals and parents to ensure the achievement of developmental goals. Prerequisite: EEC1202 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction EEC2272 The Inclusive Classroom 40 hours, 4 credits Students will learn strategies for promoting and supporting an inclusive classroom. They will analyze environmental restrictions and explore how to support young children with special needs in the early childhood setting. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC2329 Parent Education and Support 40 hours, 4 credits This course explores how educators employ supportive resources responsive to individual family needs. This course will examine how family education and resource allocation are informed by culture, experience, family structure, and socio-cultural changes in both home and early education settings. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC2401 Dynamics of the Family 40 hours, 4 credits This course will focus on the family’s influence on the growth and development of children. Family systems and parenting styles will be discussed. The course will explore issues that families of today face and how educators can support their success through communication and engagement. Prerequisite: None EEC2403 Advocating for Children with Special Needs 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore current trends, resources, and advocacy on behalf of young children with special needs. They will examine their role in supporting and advocating for young children with special needs and their families. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC2500 Infant and Toddler Development 40 hours, 4 credits This course will provide the foundation for responsive, relationship-based curriculum for infants and toddlers in group care. This course will introduce the philosophy and theory behind primary care, continuity of care, and respectful care as it relates to brain and attachment research. Explores ways of creating environments for infant/toddler group care which foster optimum social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC2613 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education 40 hours, 4 credits Students will explore effective strategies for observation and assessment in early childhood education. They will understand the observation, assessment, and planning cycle and its impact on promoting children’s development. Prerequisite: None EEC2935 Summative Project for Early Childhood Education 20 hours, 2 credits This course culminates a student’s learning from throughout their early childhood education program. Students will assemble a cumulative philosophy to share their competence with the Transferable Skills in the areas of family engagement, observation and assessment, behavior guidance, culturally responsive practices, curriculum development, and advocacy in the early childhood education field. Prerequisite: Expected to be the final lower-level core course completed EEC3000 Early Childhood Education: Understanding Mental Health in the Early Years 40 hours, 4 credits This course examines the impact of mental health issues on a child’s well-being. Students will focus on attachment theory, brain development, and the importance of executive function on lifelong learning. This course will challenge students to explore the effects of economics, family structure, and the environment on a child’s emotional and social development. Students will also be able to evaluate social support systems. Prerequisite: EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development EEC3005 Communications and Connections for Early Childhood Professionals 40 hours, 4 credits This course examines best practices in formal and informal communication with children, families, and professionals. Students will explore how to build community in diverse settings and for various stakeholders. In this course, students will develop their leadership vision and apply this vision to build healthy, empowering connections with constituents. Students will also analyze effective and ineffective methods of communication within a developmentally and culturally appropriate context. Prerequisite: None EEC3007 Organizational Management in Early Childhood Education 40 hours, 4 credits This course provides a foundation for operational management of high-quality early childhood programs. Students will experience practical application related to policies, procedures, budgets, personnel management and planning in the context of establishing best practices for children and families. Students will assess strategies for continual program improvement, including licensing, accreditation, and quality rating assessments. Prerequisite: EEC3005 Communications and Connections for Early Childhood Professionals EEC3011 Empowering Contemporary Families 40 hours, 4 credits This course explores various types and structures of families. Students will review the historical transformations of families and discuss contemporary families and communities. Students will also examine the major social issues contemporary families face. This course emphasizes resiliency in strengthening families through effective programming practices. Prerequisite: None EEC3015 Observation and Assessment for Effective Curriculum Planning 40 hours, 4 credits This course provides a framework for using best practices in observation and assessment in the early childhood classroom. Emphasis will be given to the necessity of high-quality observation and assessment techniques for effective teaching. Students will examine assessment tools as well as learn about documenting children’s learning. Prerequisite: EEC1202 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction EEC3020 Positive Behavior Guidance for Young Children 40 hours, 4 credits This course is an advanced approach to positive behavior guidance in which students will examine environmental and interpersonal strategies that foster prosocial and equitable practices in early childhood education settings. This course also emphasizes how using positive interactions and relationships will support the development of executive function skills for children birth to age 8. Prerequisite: None EEC3026 Technology and Developmentally Appropriate Practices 40 hours, 4 credits In this course, students will explore technology use as a part of the world in which children, families, and early childhood professionals live. Students will explore how Universal Design for Learning Principles and developmentally Appropriate Practices relate to the use of technology in early childhood programs. Using the Department of Education’s Guiding Principles for Use of Technology with Early Learners, students will explore how technology can be a tool for learning, can increase access to learning for all children, and can strengthen relationships. Students will also gain experience with technology tools integral to their future work in the virtual education world. Prerequisite: None EEC3171 Beyond the Basics of Health, Safety, and Nutrition 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the study of child health, nutrition, and safety practices that support children’s abilities to learn and places focus on the impact on the continuum of child development. Topics include capitalizing on learning windows of opportunity, risks and protective factors of maltreatment of children, and healthy and safe practices. This course will prepare students to recognize development as a continuum and to create and implement healthy and safe practices with children. Prerequisite: None EEC3220 Child Development Ages Birth–3 40 hours, 4 credits This course is the study of children ages birth–3. It places focus on the in-depth study of the learning domains including the cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical domains. Topics include how child development theories apply, the influences environmental factors, interactions, and relationships have on the development of children, and learning across domains. This course will prepare students to identify the unique ways in which in children learn from ages birth–3. Prerequisite: None ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM
