Early Childhood Education Course Outcomes

The major purposes of this course are the following:

1. To develop a foundation for developmentally appropriate child guidance in order to effectively
   manage the behaviors of individual children in specific situations
2. To identify adult styles of care giving and the processes used by adults to influence children in
   to evaluate your own style of care giving
3. To determine how the physical environment effects children's behavior by examining an early
   childhood setting and using the findings to modify existing and future classrooms
4. To develop effective techniques for helping children acquire the skills and attitudes needed in
   community life by utilizing the "Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences"
5. To apply positive discipline strategies to real life situations by analyzing case studies of children's
   behavior
6. To identify the causes of anger and aggression in children in order to cope with these behaviors when
   encountered in life and on the job
7. To trace the roots and development of self-esteem in children in order to nurture positive self-esteem
   and pro-- social behavior
8. To promote positive interactions both between staff and children and among children by using the
   "Early Childhood Program Standards for Three- and Four-Year Old’s"
9. To stimulate class discussion of the impact of family, school, community and culture on children's

1. To understand and describe the stages of physical, cognitive, and social emotional development from
   pre-natal to 8 years of age in order to have appropriate and reasonable expectations of children in early
   childhood settings.
2. Explain and compare a range of theories on child growth and development.
3. To understand and plan for the psychological differences in the child in order to provide a safe,
   nurturing environment in which each child’s needs are met
4. To explore and plan the developmental task of a child in all areas of development in order to provide
   developmentally appropriate activities to foster growth and a sense of accomplishment.
5. To develop approaches and techniques in working with young children in order to be responsive to
   their developmental level and encourage exploration and discovery
6. To understand the cultural, economic, political, psychodynamic, and historical influences and contexts
   in early childhood development
7. To recognize and plan for the child’s individual differences in order to measure and nurture each
   child’s skills and progress.
8. To understand the work and learning of a child’s play in order to provide meaningful play activities
   as a major vehicle for learning about his/her world .

1. To examine how the historical events in Early Childhood Education relate to the present, in order to
   provide a quality programming for young children.
2. Explain the roles and responsibilities of early childhood professionals in creating safe, healthy,
   nurturing, and inclusive learning environments for children and their families.
3. Identify the key practical, ethical, and legal considerations in supporting young children with special
   learning needs.
4. To recognize widely held theories of growth and learning in order to best meet the needs of the

1. Design developmentally appropriate, standards-based curriculum that promotes young children’s
   learning and development across domains.
2. To promote play experiences, materials and spaces that encourage individual growth and
   opportunities for group learning.
3. To implement the “Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences” in order to plan and evaluate
   curriculum for the group and individual children
4. To develop effective techniques for designing and implementing developmentally appropriate
   lesson plans in the areas of language, math, science, creative art, music/movement, and
   nutrition/safety by utilizing the “Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences”
5. Use a range of strategies, such as reflective practice, family engagement, and data analysis, to
   improve and adapt curriculum.
6. Explain the teacher's role in planning, implementing, and evaluating both teacher-directed and
   child-directed activities and environments.

1. To understand the interrelationship of health, safety and nutrition in order to promote each child's
   optimal growth and development
2. To use health assessment tools to identify health conditions in order to provide a thorough model for
   making social service referrals
3. To design a healthy and safe early education settings to protect children
4. To realize the role of a mandated reporter by effectively understanding, identifying and reporting
   cases of child abuse and neglect
5. To identify and understand the spread of contagions in order to stop the infectious process through
   effective control
6. To comprehend how nutrition effects normal growth patterns by examining basic nutrition concepts

1. To understand the process of the CDA National Credentialing System for early childhood educators
2. To understand and create written reflections associated with CDA competency standards
3. To create child menus according to developmentally, and culturally appropriate practices
4. To involve families in the program, including distribution of family questionnaires
5. To develop and incorporate a professional philosophy statement to be included in the Professional Portfolio
6. To develop a family resource guide with useful information for families
7. To understand the importance of community resources, what they offer, and how to access
8. To value and understand the importance of professionalism and ethical practices in early childhood

1. To understand the importance of developing and implementing a philosophy toward Early Childhood Education in order to guide decision making
2. To understand the role of teacher, lead teacher and director in an early childhood setting in order to
   develop professionally
3. To explore the laws and regulations governing early childhood in Massachusetts in order to provide a
   safe and healthy environment
4. To develop a systemized approach to record keeping and reports in order to run a successful early
   childhood program
5. To understand the administrative and organizational structure of a n early childhood program in
   order to comply with the regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
6. To provide a basic introduction to the process of hiring effective and creative teaching staff in order
   to provide developmentally appropriate practice
7. To understand the importance of the NAEYC code of ethics in order to offer a quality program