This course explores strategies to encourage the development of early language and literacy knowledge and skill building in children birth to 8 years of age. Learners will investigate the components of literacy including; literacy and a source of enjoyment, vocabulary and oral language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension and an understanding of books and other texts. Theories and philosophies regarding children's language and literacy development will be addressed. Dual language learning will be examined within the context of developmentally appropriate practices. Assessment tools for early language and literacy acquisition will be reviewed.

Introduces the student to the early childhood profession. Students will integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives, investigate the history of early childhood education, summarize types of early childhood education settings, identify the components of a quality early childhood education program, summarize responsibilities of early childhood education professionals, and explore early childhood curriculum models.

Students will study infant and toddler development as it applies to an early childhood education settings. Students will integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives, analyze development of infants and toddlers (conception to three years), correlate prenatal conditions with development, summarize child development theories, analyze the role of heredity and the environment, examine research-based models, and examine culturally and developmentally appropriate environments for infants and toddlers.

Examines the topics of health, safety, and nutrition within the context of the early childhood educational setting. Integrates strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; follow governmental regulations and professional standards as they apply to health, safety, and nutrition; provide a safe early childhood program; provide a healthy early childhood program; provide a nutritionally, sound early childhood program; adhere to child abuse and neglect mandates; apply Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction strategies; incorporate health, safety, and nutrition concepts into the children’s curriculum.

Focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communications, and listening skills through individual presentations, groups activities, and other projects.

Art Music and Language Arts Focuses on beginning-level curriculum development in the specific content areas of arts, music, and language arts. Explores integration strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; examine the critical role of play; establish a developmentally appropriate environment; develop activity plans that promote child development and learning; analyze care giving routines as curriculum; create developmentally appropriate language, literature, and literacy activities; create developmentally appropriate art activities; and create developmentally appropriate music and movement activities.

Students will learn about and apply the course competencies in an actual childcare setting. Students will document children's behavior, explore the standards for quality early childhood education, explore strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives, implement activities developed by the co-op teacher/instructor, demonstrate professional behaviors, practice caregiving routines as curriculum, practice positive interpersonal skills with children and adults, analyze the guiding principles and the five developmental domains related to the WI Early Learning Standards, integrate the WI Early Learning Standards into the program's teaching cycle (ongoing assessment, planning and curriculum goals, and implementation), and evaluate learning and assessment activities using the early learning standards for each individual child. Prerequisite: 1030716700 ECE Health Safety and Nutrition (C or better).

Examines child development within the context of the early childhood education setting. Students will analyze social, cultural, and economic influences on child development; summarize child development theories; analyze development of children age three through age eight, summarize the methods and designs of child development research; and analyze the role of heredity and environment.

Examines positive strategies to guide children’s behavior in the early childhood education setting. Students will integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives, summarize early childhood guidance principles, analyze factors that affect the behavior of children, practice positive guidance strategies, develop guidance strategies to meet individual needs, and create a guidance philosophy.

Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments is designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents.

This 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Prerequisite: 1030711000 ECE Soc S Art and Music (D or better) (concurrent enrollment allowed).

This course will apply as the capstone course in The Registry Preschool Credential. You will be placed or working in an early childhood setting with 3-5 year old children and create a portfolio that prepares you for The Registry commission. In this course you will be implementing regulations and standards for quality early childhood education, applying knowledge of child development and positive guidance, utilizing observation and assessment techniques, and assessing developmentally appropriate environments for preschoolers. Prerequisites: 1030717400 ECE Introductory Practicum (C or better) and 1030718800 ECE Guiding Child Behavior (C or better).

Focuses on the child with differing abilities in an early childhood setting. Students will integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; provide inclusive programs for young children; apply legal and ethical requirements including, but not limited to ADA and IDEA; differentiate between typical and exceptional development; analyze the differing abilities of children with physical, cognitive, health/medical, communication, and/or behavioral/emotional disorders; work collaboratively with community and professional resources; utilize an individual education plan (IEP/IFSP) for children with developmental differences; adapt curriculum to meet the needs of children with developmental differences; and cultivate partnerships with families who have children with developmental differences.

Introduces learners to the study of diversity from a local to a global environment using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Encourages self-exploration and prepares the learner to work in a diverse environment. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relations in a multicultural context, the primary topics of race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and religion are explored.

Study of human development throughout the lifespan. Explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain an increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others.

In this 3-credit course you will be implementing regulations and standards for quality early childhood education, applying knowledge of child development and positive guidance, utilizing observation and assessment techniques, and assessing developmentally appropriate environments for children. Prerequisite: 1030717500 ECE Preschool Practicum (C or better). Corequisite: 1030719900 ECE Advanced Practicum.

Examines the role of relationships with family and community in early childhood education. Students will implement strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives when working with families and community; analyze contemporary family patterns, trends, and relationships; utilize effective communication strategies; establish on-going relationships with families; advocate for children and families; and work collaboratively with community resources.

Learn about and apply the ability to analyze children’s growth and development based on assessment integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives, promote professional behaviors and practices, implement meaningful curriculum, create respectful reciprocal relationships, evaluate early childhood education programs for quality, and explore professional options in early childhood education. Prerequisite: 1030717700 ECE Intermediate Practicum (C or better) (concurrent enrollment allowed). Corequisite: 1030717700 ECE Intermediate Practicum.

Prepares the student to develop sustainable literacy, analyze the interconnections among the physical and biological sciences and environmental systems, summarize the effects of sustainability on health and well-being, analyze connections among social, economic, and environmental systems, employ energy conservation strategies to reduce the use of fossil fuels, investigate alternative energy options, evaluate options to current waste disposal and recycling in the U.S., and analyze approaches used by your community to promote and implement sustainability.