ECE 273: Early Learning Standards – Strategies for Use

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards (CT ELDS) and how to use them to support child development and learning. Students will learn about the eight domains of development and how to use the strands, progressions, and indicators to track child development, related to the various domains. (1 credit)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Charter Oak State College uses the ‘Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators’ to develop its students for work in a variety of early childhood settings. The Student Learning Outcomes listed below reflect the Professional Standards and Competencies that are focused on in this course.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain how the CT ELDS supports development across physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language domains, and how development in one domain influences others. [Standard 1a]
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the influence of family, culture, language, and community on child development and learning. [Standard 1c]
  3. Apply knowledge of developmental variation to create intentional strategies for families that support children's learning through everyday routines. [Standard 1b, 1d]
  4. Communicate early learning standards in an accessible, inclusive, and culturally responsive format appropriate for diverse families. [Standard 6c]
  5. Apply ethical and professional guidelines in the creation of resources for families. [Standard 6a, 6b]
  6. Reflect on the process of translating professional knowledge into family-centered strategies and identify implications for future practice. [Standard 6e]

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-5) 

25%

Assignments (Weeks 1-4)

25%

CTELDS Scavenger Hunt (Week 1)

10%

Journal (Weeks 2-5)

15%

Final Project (Week 5)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

  • This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are at little or no cost for students.
  • Resources used for course:

Course Schedule

WeekSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

1,2,4,6

Topic: Introduction to the CT ELDS

  • Readings:
    • CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014), pages 5-11
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Scavenger Hunt
  • Submit Assignment: CT ELDS: Essential Dispositions

2

1,3

Topics: CT ELDS: Domains and Strands

  • Readings:
    • CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014)
    • Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards: A Guide to Domains & Strands (CT OEC, 2016a)
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Journal Reflection
  • Submit Assignment: Interrelated Domain Analysis

3

1,3

Topics: Exploring CT ELDS Learning Progressions

  • Readings:
    • CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014)
    • Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards: A Guide to Domains & Strands (CT OEC, 2016a)
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Journal Reflection
  • Submit Assignment: Learning Progressions - Scaffolding Learning Over Time

4

1,3

Topic: CT ELDS: Application and Analysis

  • Readings:
    • CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014)
    • Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards: A Guide to Domains & Strands (CT OEC, 2016a)

 

  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Journal Reflection
  • Submit Assignment: Applying CT ELDS and Guide to Domains and Strands – Video Analysis

5

4,5,6

Topics: Engaging Families and Reflecting on Growth

  • Readings:
    • CT Early Learning and Development Standards (CT OEC, 2014).
    • Supporting All Children Using the Connecticut Early Learning & Development Standards: A Guide to Domains & Strands (CT OEC, 2016a)
    • CT ELDS Action Guides (CT OEC, 2014)
  • Read assigned material
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in Discussions
  • Complete Journal Reflection
  • Submit Final Project
  • 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.