ECE 215: Behavior Management in Early Childhood

Course Description

This course will focus on the behaviors seen in children from birth through age eight, as well as practical ideas to help children build self-esteem, develop self control, identify problem behaviors, and recognize potential causes. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Define challenging behavior.
  2. Recognize the purpose of child guidance.
  3. Discuss developmentally appropriate practice.
  4. Discuss the stages of early child development and how they affect behavior and influence appropriate methods of discipline.
  5. Utilize various observation and recording techniques.
  6. Identify ways to encourage prosocial behavior.
  7. Discuss ways to help children deal with stress, anger and aggression.
  8. Develop specific strategies for effectively responding to challenging behavior.
  9. Identify the effect cultural differences have on child rearing and the impact this will this have on classroom strategies and communications with parents.
  10. Interpret when outside intervention is necessary and explain the process of informing parents of this need.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions Questions (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Assigments (Weeks 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6)

25%

Quizzes (Weeks 2, 4, 6)

15%

Case Study (Week 7)

10%

Final Paper (Week 8)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Ferris Miller, Darla. Positive Child Guidance. 9th ed. Cengage Learning, 2023. ISBN-13: 978-0-357-62530-9

Additional Resources

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,3,4

Topic: Why Guidance Matters & Understanding Children’s Behavior

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 1, 2 & 3
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Week 1 Assignment: Mind Mapping

2

1,2,3,4

Topic: Understanding the Reasons for Problem Behavior

  • Readings:
    • Chapters 6 & 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Week 2 - Quiz 1
  • Prepare for Child Observation #1 (implement Week 3)

3

5

Topic: Identifying Personal Biases and Observations

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 3 - Child Observation #1

4

8

Topic: Effective Guidance Interventions

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 10
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Week 4 - Quiz 2
  • Submit Week 4 Assignment - Children’s Literature and Effective Guidance Interventions
  • Prepare for Child Observation #2 (implement in Week 5)

5

6

Topic: Designing a Developmentally Appropriate, Prosocial Environment

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 7
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 5 - Child Observation #2

6

2,6,7,8

Topics: Positive Communication & Positive Action

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 8
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Week 6 – Quiz 3
  • Submit Week 6 - Reflection

7

7,8

Topic: Addressing Persistent Unproductive Patterns of Behavior

  • Readings:
    • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Answer the Discussion Questions
  • Case Study due
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 7 - Case Study

8

9, 10

Topic: Working with Families and Professionals
  • Readings:
    • Chapter 5
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Submit Week 8 – Final Project PowerPoint
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.