This course examines the function of play as a theoretical based teaching and learning tool for young learners. Students will evaluate the impact of current issues, trends, and cultural factors on play and the role of play-centered assessments with children. In addition, students will design developmentally appropriate play activities for use at home and in the learning environment and create a framework of play and learning for diverse learners.

This course focuses on language and literacy development in young children, with an emphasis on diverse learners. Students will analyze foundational theories, developmental milestones, and research related to the development of language and literacy. The course emphasizes identifying effective strategies to support language and literacy growth in children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Students will evaluate a variety of tools for assessing language and literacy development while developing collaborative strategies for working with families and professionals to promote children’s language and literacy growth. Additionally, students will design developmentally appropriate, standards-aligned lessons that foster language and literacy development, grounded in a theoretical understanding of diverse learners.

This course examines the principles and practices of curriculum planning and design tailored for diverse young children, birth to age 8. Students will explore differentiated instruction, research-based curriculum, and pedagogical approaches across several content areas. Students will learn to create inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and challenging learning experiences and environments for diverse young children. The National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children standards are integrated into the coursework.

In this course students will learn about creating safe and healthy learning environments for young children. Students will identify key policies, standards, and best practices for healthy early learning settings. Additionally, students will utilize health assessments to support children’s physical and mental health. Students will apply health and safety standards to prevent, identify, and manage infectious illnesses. They will create a plan to support the inclusion of children with special healthcare needs and children exposed to maltreatment in early learning settings. Finally, students will evaluate key elements of a safe early learning environment for children.

In this course students will analyze the major theories of behavior. Students will evaluate effective strategies for both practitioners and families to use to promote optimal behavior in a diverse childhood population. In addition, students will create an environment that is inclusive of different behavioral needs. Finally, students will design an individual behavioral support plan for specific disruptive behaviors.  Prerequisite: ECD 405

This course provides students with an analysis of theories and approaches for working with children, families, and the community. Students will examine how culture and family structure influences a child’s learning and development. Additionally, students will synthesize how children’s needs are met and supported through the family and community environment as socializing agents. Finally, students will evaluate family and community programs, agencies and resources that support the diverse needs of children.  

This course provides students with a foundation of theoretical perspectives and research related to cognitive and language development in diverse learners, with a focus on both typical and atypical trajectories. The course emphasizes the assessment and identification of children with atypical language development, equipping them with the skills to recognize and address these needs through interventions and alternative communication systems. Finally, students develop strategies for collaborating with families and other professionals to support the holistic development of children with exceptionalities. Prerequisite: ECD 310

This course provides an introduction to early intervention for children and their families (birth to age 3). Students will explain the historical, legal and educational basis for early intervention. Subsequently, students will describe professional standards and ethics and their relationship to early intervention. Students will analyze the roles of early educators in the delivery of instructional services for young children. In addition, students will explain early intervention strategies and services and create a plan for collaborating with families and other professionals. 

An interdisciplinary study of peacemaking and activism with a focus on how they impact conflict resolution.Students examine thinking and behavior in response to social conflict such as aggression, threats, prejudice, avoidance, withdrawal, conformity, and obedience. Students study various strategies of peacemaking, activism, and negotiation and then apply these methods to in class activities.

The content in this course will allow students to analyze the purpose of assessment in supporting children across all developmental domains. Using this foundation, students will examine the practical application of assessment tools and utilize assessment strategies to enhance the growth and development of children. Finally, students will synthesize their learning by developing an assessment portfolio that contains a plan for interventions to meet the developmental needs of diverse children.