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Sped 410/510 An Introduction to Infant/Toddler Mental Health (3 credits)
Learn the basics of infant/toddler mental health (ITMH) from an interdisciplinary perspective. Gain knowledge about current research and interventions from the field of infant mental health. Special attention is placed on infant/toddler development, risk factors, assessment methods, prevention/intervention, and collaboration in the field. Also emphasized is the history of ITMH as a field and incorporating ITMH into policies and systems.
CI
410/510 Bilingual Children: Program Models, Assessment, and Classroom
Methods (3 credits)
Ages: 2-5
The
rapid diversification of our nation brings with it great promise
as well as challenges. For early childhood educators, it is imperative
that programs be developed that effectively serve all students.
This course is an introductory course on culturally and linguistically
appropriate instruction, assessment, and development, framed within
the context of linking the program to the families. Specific topics
include first and second language acquisition, culture and
acculturation, culturally appropriate curriculum and assessment,
engaging families, and program models that build on the strengths
that preschool children, ages 2-5, bring with them from home into the
classroom.
CI
410/510: Constructivist Curriculum: Big Ideas in ECE, Ages 3-8
(3 Credits)
In this course you will consider the possibilities of taking a big idea, such as "balance" or "light", and exploring it deeply over time and across the curriculum with preschool and primary age children. Informed by Chaille's new book, Constructivism across the Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms: Big Ideas as Inspiration, participants will examine the ways that integrated curriculum and project work support children's learning and foster the connections necessary for them to construct knowledge. You will have the opportunity to develop resources and design activities related to a particular big idea, and to consider the challenges and rewards of bringing what you learn into your work with young children.
CI
410/510 Early Childhood Classroom Methods: Develop Appropriate Practice That Lends to Measurable Outcomes mentally (3 credits)
Ages: 3 - 5
This course enables teachers to identify and implement components
of developmentally appropriate practice. Learn how to plan activities
for the individual child, a small group of children, and the class
as a whole. Understand how student assessment plays an important
part in all aspects of the classroom, including scheduling, curriculum
planning, room arrangement, classroom management, and outcome measurement.
CI
410/510 Early Language and Literacy (3 credits)
Ages: 2 - 7
This course introduces students to the issues, ideas, and practices that
help young children learn literacy. Examine how literacy grows out of
children's experiences with and use of language. Look closely at the role
of play in literacy development and how early childhood teachers and caregivers
support and influence young children's literacy, share, and create activities
that are grounded in current knowledge about children's literacy development.
CI 410/510
Emotional Life of Toddlers and Tweens (3 credits)
Ages: 15 - 36 months
This course explores caregiving practices designed to support learning
during this critical period of social and emotional development. Links
are made between brain development research and theories to the things
that teachers and caregivers do everyday with toddlers. Topics include
observation, establishing nurturing relationships, planning secure environments,
activities designed to engage very young children, and positive guidance
strategies.
CI 410/510 Numeracy Development in Young Children (3 credits)
Ages: 3-7
This course introduces the issues, ideas, and practices that help young children learn mathematics. Throughout the course, examine how numeracy grows out of children's real-life experiences. You also look closely at the role of play in numeracy development, and how we early childhood teachers and caregivers can best support and influence young children's math acquisition. In addition, learn and create activities that are grounded in current research and knowledge about children's numeracy development, and focus on practical classroom applications of math instruction in early childhood classrooms. This course also explores nurturing numeracy development through the use of children's literature, songs, journals, poetry, and games.
CI 410/510 Planning for Children with Challenging Behavior in the Classroom (3 credits)
Ages: 3-5
This course focuses on how to assess challenging behavior and implement effective interventions in the classroom to reduce and/or prevent challenging behavior displayed by young children. This is an introductory course designed to provide students with knowledge on how to analyze a behavior situation from a variety of viewpoints. Students will also learn how to conduct an informal functional behavioral assessment, design a behavioral support plan, and implement various procedures to help children manage their behavior.
CI 410/510 The Young Child as Scientist (3 credits)
Ages: 3-8
In this course developmentally appropriate science for preschool and primary age children is explored. Activities focus on experimentation and problem solving. Using the book by Chaille and Britain, “The Young Child as Scientist,” participants experience and design activities for young children around three questions that derive from traditional science content. They are: Can I make it move?, Can I make it change?, and How does it fit? In the process, they learn more about constructivist teaching and curriculum, particularly as applied to science education.