ECE 335: Advanced Methods in Early Childhood Education / Special Education - Pre K through Kindergarten

Course Description

This course will focus on principles of learning, curriculum development, and relationships in conjunction with ongoing observation, assessment, and intentional teaching. The course examines the roles of play and active exploration in designing developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all children and addresses guiding children’s behavior. The course emphasizes the role of families in children’s learning and supports students’ development as reflective practitioners and intentional teachers. Students will observe two separate classrooms; one must be an inclusive preschool special education classroom and the other either an NAEYC community based preschool program OR a Kindergarten classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they can meet this requirement. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

ECE 101: Introduction to Early Childhood
ECE 210: Observation and Assessment in ECE Program
ECE 217: The Exceptional Learner
ECE 222: Curriculum for Young Children - Methods and Techniques or ECE 261: Infant / Toddler Care: Methods and Techniques
ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Apply knowledge of how young children learn, including the importance of relationships and play, by creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Demonstrate understanding of how to support a wide variety of learner needs (social, emotional, physical and cognitive) through application of the Cycle of Intentional Teaching.
Apply preschool / kindergarten learning theory to curriculum and interactions by: designing experiences, environments and engaging in supportive, intentional interactions.
Design developmentally appropriate learning experiences for preschoolers / kindergarteners, including children with special needs and English Language Learners, across the curriculum and content areas (music, language / literacy, science, art, movement, numeracy, health/safety and nutrition) using the State of Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards and the Common Core State Standards.
Demonstrate understanding of interrelatedness of domains of learning.
Describe and apply SRBI to classroom practice.
Discuss and design opportunities for family involvement and extending learning to the home.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight	Points
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) 8 x 20 points each	16%	160
Blogs (Week 1-8) 8 x 25 points each	20%	200
Observations (Week 5 & 6) 2 x 125 points each	25%	250
Assignments (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7) 5 x 20 points each	10%	100
Journals (Weeks 1 & 8) 2 x 25 points each	5%	50
Final Project	24%	240
Total	100%	1000

Required Resources

CT OEC. (2014). CT Early Learning and Development Standards.

CT OEC. (2015). Supporting All Children Using the CT Early Learning and Development Standards:

CT OEC. (2016). CT Core Knowledge & Competencies Framework. (CKCs)

CT SDE. (2011). Early Childhood SRBI Embedded Strategies Manual

NAEYC. (2019). Early Learning Program Standards and Assessment Items

NAEYC. (2019). Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education

NAEYC. (2020). Developmentally Appropriate Practice

CT Core Knowledge & Competencies for Professionals Working with Young Children and Their Families (CKCs)

Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (CAST)

The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Readings and Exercises	Assignments
1	1,2,3,4	Topic: What is Curriculum? Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES CT SDE Early Childhood SRBI, p. 4-14 CT Core Knowledge & Competencies p. 10-23 NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice (NAEYC, 2020) p. 3-13 NAEYC Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education (2019) p. 1-8 NAEYC Standard 2 Topic Area A: Essential Characteristics (NAEYC, 2019)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussions Participate in blog Submit journal reflection Submit Assignment
2	1-7	Topic: The Cycle of Intentional Teaching Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice (NAEYC, 2020) p. 19-27 NAEYC Standard 4: Assessment Universal Design for Learning (CAST)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Assignment
3	1-7	Topic: Play, Social Emotional Learning, and Classroom Environment Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice (NAEYC, 2020) p. 15-17 NAEYC Standard 1: Relationships NAEYC Standard 3: Instruction Assessing and Scaffolding Make-Believe Play (Leong and Bodrova, 2012)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Assignment
4	1-7	Topics: Supporting Learning and Communication for Children Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES NAEYC Standard 2 Topic Area E: Early Literacy Writing Around the Room (McMahon Giles, 2020) Promoting Preschoolers Emergent Writing (Byington and Kim, 2017) Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity: NAEYC Position Statement	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Assignment
5	1-7	Topics: Creative Expression and Social Studies Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES NAEYC Standard 2 Topic Areas L & J	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Observation I
6	1-7	Topics: Math and Science Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES NAEYC Standard 2 Topic Areas F, G, & H Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginnings: NAEYC Position Statement	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Observation II
7	1-7	Topics: Family & Community Engagement and Physical Development & Health Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES Supporting Children Using the CT ELDS: A Guide for Families NAEYC Standard 2 Topic Area C & K CT Action Guide for Nutrition and Physical Activity (2010) The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children (Johnson, Christie, and Wardle, 2010) Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development (Kinsner, 2019) NAEYC Standard 7 & 8	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Assignment
8	1-7	Topics: Who are YOU as a Teacher? Readings: CT ELDS RESOURCES CT Core Knowledge & Competencies Twelve Characteristics of Effective Early Childhood Teacher (Colker) Fostering Essential Dispositions in Young Children (CT OEC) (video)	Read assigned material Review the lecture material Participate in discussion Participate in blog Submit Journal Reflection *Submit Final Project (due on Saturday* by 11:59 PM)** 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.