CDEV 111A  Principles and Practices in ECE

Course Description:  

This course offers dialogue and examination of the teacher’s role and appropriate early childhood environments.  Students will develop a teacher’s philosophy and study developmentally appropriate practice and how overall planning affects young children as individuals and as a group.  There will also be an emphasis on the child-oriented process, positive guidance techniques, classroom transitions, and family/school relations. Two outside observations are required.

Learning outcomes include being able to:

• Identify best practices and intentional teaching as defined within the field of early care and education.
• Analyze range of delivery systems, program types, and ethical standards.
• Analyze child development theorists and form a personal professional philosophy.
• Assess early childhood settings, curriculum, and teaching strategies.
• Analyze the relationship between observation, planning, and implementation using effective strategies.
• Examine the value of play as a vehicle for developing skills, knowledge, dispositions, and strengthening relationships among young children.
• Examine a variety of guidance and interaction strategies to increase children’s social competence and promote a caring classroom.
• Design and evaluate quality and developmentally appropriate indoor/outdoor settings for young children.
• Examine professional and academic goals in the ECE field.

Textbook Information:

      10th Edition 

I will be using the 10th edition in class, however, you could manage with the 9th edition as well. 

Assignments:

Weekly Video Discussions- (75 points) You will watch a (one) video per week (on Canvas) based on your assigned group letter. Then, you will add a short summary and your thoughts on Canvas. This is due before the class. You are required to ‘teach’ the content of this video to your other group members in class and ‘learn’ from the other group members about their videos. A short written report will be submitted for grading. All components must be completed for full credit. No partial credit given.

Weekly Article Discussions- (75 points) You will read an (one) article per week (on Canvas) based on your assigned group letter. Then, you will add a short summary and your thoughts on Canvas. This is due before the class. You are required to ‘teach’ the content of this article to your other group members in class and ‘learn’ from the other group members about their articles. A short written report will be submitted for grading. All components must be completed for full credit. No partial credit given.

Weekly Participation Points - ‘P POINTS’ (150 points) Participation is an integral part of learning in this class. Every week (class), there will be approximately 2-4 activities that will be completed and based on your participation, you will earn points. All components must be completed for full credit. No partial credit given.

Weekly Quiz- (75 points) Each week, after completing the chapter in class, you will complete 10 Multiple choice /True-False questions at home on Canvas.

        Field Experience (100 points):  You will be required to work in a child development classroom for 30 hours during the semester.  You will be assigned to a Master  Teacher and you and a partner will work on a project with that teacher.  More information will be provided during the first day of our course.  You will also complete the following two observations during this time.

# 1: Role of the Teacher
This observation is about understanding the role of an early childhood professional.  During this experience, you will have the opportunity to learn more about teacher strategies, see theory and practice integrated, and begin to explore your own pedagogy. 

# 2: Environment
This observation allows you to learn more about the environment of an early childhood program – both in the classroom and outside play area.  You will learn more about learning centers, developmentally appropriate materials, and implementation of activities. 

        Mandated Reporter Certificate – (5 points)- Complete the self-study online program (link is provided on Canvas), and upload the certificate to Canvas.

          Teaching Philosophy/Resume/Cover Letter (10 points)- Turn in a hard copy to me- do not upload.

        Math/ English Placement Test (5 points)- Turn in proof of completion to me. 

        Ed Plan- (5 points) - Meet with our SAC CDEV counselor and plan your Education plan, declare your major as CDEV and provide proof (hard copy) to me.