MCCCD Program Description

Foundations of Early Childhood Education

Course: EED200

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Overview of early childhood education (birth to age eight) in American society, including current issues and responsibilities. Emphasis on issues of professionalism, ethics and program types. Opportunities for students to explore potential career paths

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Evaluate the philosophies of early care and education from birth to age eight. (I) 2. Articulate arguments and reasons for the varied early childhood program types. (I) 3. Explain the historical and current public and private investment in early care and education. (II, III) 4. Trace the historical and political events that have shaped local, state and national issues in early care and education. (II, III) 5. Define professionalization as it applies to the field of early care and education, birth to age eight. (IV) 6. Review codes of ethics that govern the field. (IV) 7. Identify professional standards. (V) 8. Explain how the professional standards impact the field. (V) 9. Identify major early childhood professional organizations and other organizations that interact with the field. (VI) 10. Contrast the learning and developmental characteristics of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary children birth to age eight, both typical and atypical. (VII) 11. Illustrate how, from birth, the young child possesses an innate drive to learn through sensory exploration of the world. (VIII) 12. Identify the impact and involvement of the family on the field of early care and education. (IX) 13. Assess personal goals and characteristics required for various early care and education careers. (X) 14. Evaluate field experiences. (XI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Philosophies and Program Types A. Montessori B. Waldorf C. Reggio Emilia D. HighScope E. HeadStart F. Public Preschools G. Proprietary Child Care H. Non-profit Child Care and Preschools I. Family Child Care J. In-home Care K. Early Intervention L. Home Visitor II. Public and Private Investment A. Historical Perspective B. Current Issues III. Local, State, and National Issues A. Historical Events B. Political Events IV. Professionalization A. The Field Defined 1. Roots of Professional Identity 2. Scientific Research Supporting Importance of the Field B. Characteristics of Professional Fields 1. Service to Society 2. Recognized by the Public 3. Code of Ethic(s) 4. Regulation of the Profession 5. Legal Obligations and Liabilities C. Remuneration 1. Worthy Wages 2. Benefits V. Standards A. Learning Standards for the Child (Birth to Age Eight) B. Standards for the Program (Birth to Age Eight) 1. Local and State Regulation 2. Accreditation C. Standards for the Professional (Birth to Age 8) VI. Organizations A. National Association for the Education of the Young Child B. Association for Childhood Education International C. Council for Exceptional Children D. Arizona Child Care Associations E. American Federation of Teachers F. North American Montessori Teacher Association G. National HeadStart Association H. Other Early Childhood and Discipline-related Associations VII. Learning and Developmental Characteristics (Birth to Age Eight) A. Infants B. Toddlers C. Preschoolers D. Early Elementary Child VIII. Sensory Exploration of the World A. Infant Interactions With Self, People and Objects Through Play B. Toddler Interactions With Self, People and Objects Through Play C. Preschoolers Interactions With Self, People and Objects Through Play D. Early Elementary Child Interactions With Self, People and Objects IX. Impact and Involvement of the Family A. Family Membership Defined B. Family Choice of Program Type C. Family Participation D. Family Rights and Responsibilities X. Early Care and Education as a Career Pathway A. Pathways 1. Instruction 2. Family Support Services 3. Supervision 4. Administration 5. Related Careers B. Necessary Preparation and Credentials C. Personal Goals and Characteristics 1. Self-assessment 2. Assessment by Others XI. Field Experience

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 6/24/2008

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.