EDEC - Early Childhood Education

EDEC 108  Introduction to Early Childhood Education: 2 Credits (1 Lec, 1 Lab)

(F) This course provides an overview of and introduction to early childhood education, including history, childcare licensing and program types, best practice standards, and ethics and professionalism. Students will complete a field experience in an approved early care and education program to help them understand the personal attributes and characteristics of an early childhood professional. Criminal background check required.

EDEC 160  Early Childhood Development: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F, Sp, Su) Development of children birth-8 years old. Cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional domains are examined in addition to contexts of development that influence children’s well-being, such as family, school, and community. Theory, research, and application for professionals are emphasized.

EDEC 249  Infant/Toddler Development and Group Care: 4 Credits (3 Lec, 1 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 160 and EDEC 108. This course presents an overview of caregiving for infants and toddlers in group settings (birth – age 3). Developmentally appropriate programming for infants and toddlers is emphasized across multiple areas of development through materials, environments, and interactions. Standards for quality infant/toddler caregiving practices in the field and current research are explored, including the role of collaboration with families, professionals, and other community partners. Students will complete a lab experience with infants/toddlers in a group care setting which will include the use of observation, documentation, and planning for and using developmentally appropriate practice

EDEC 253  Nutrition & Physical Activity in Early Childhood: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Lab)

(Sp) Developmentally appropriate movement and health-related activities in early childhood education. Designing physical activity and nutrition programs in early childhood settings, implementing appropriate teaching practices, understanding movement concepts, and helping guide children in becoming physically active and healthy for a lifetime.

EDEC 260  Administration of Early Childhood Programs: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 108 This course provides students with the essential knowledge and understanding of early childhood program administration, including developing staff and personnel policies, preparing a budget, and establishing goals for program planning and evaluation. (Sp) Analysis of state childcare licensing regulations and collaboration with state resource & referral agencies will prepare students to develop a business plan for starting their own early care and education program

EDEC 271  Paraprofessional Experience in Early Childhood: 2 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 160. () Offered as needed based on student demand. Criminal background check required. Work directly with young children, learn and use strategies of positive and supportive interactions with teachers, families, and children. Form foundational understanding of the complex roles of early childhood professionals

EDEC 288  Signing for Early Childhood Educators: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F) Provides foundational expressive and receptive skill acquisition in American Sign Language to meet federal demand for inclusionary practices in early childhood education and public school settings for deaf and hard of hearing, cognitive and language disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, etc.

EDEC 292  EC Independent Study: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec, 2-4 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: None required but some may be determined necessary by each offering department. (F, Sp, Su) Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

EDEC 350  Play and Learning in Early Childhood: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 108. (F) Current issues, research, theory, and practice related to young children's play, learning, and development in educational contexts. Planning and preparing developmentally appropriate learning environments and developing dispositions that promote teacher-child and family-school relationships, diversity and social justice, ethics and professionalism

EDEC 362  Development, Education, and Well-Being of Children at Risk: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 160 and junior standing. () Offered as needed based on student demand. The course emphasizes well-being indicators in children from a developmental, educational, and community perspective. Exploration and understanding of deficit models and strength models of well-being are examined within the context of tribal communities and other at-risk populations

EDEC 385  Integrated Curriculum Early Childhood Education: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 350
COREQUISITE: EDEC 498 for child development option students; EDU 395 for P-3 option students. Observation, reflection, and analysis of various early childhood education curricula including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. Curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation. Laboratory experience in an early childhood classroom is required
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EDEC 395  Early Childhood Clinical Experience: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Lab)

COREQUISITE: EDEC 385. (Sp) Supervised early childhood clinical experience in an approved early care and education setting. Students will use relationship building and guidance strategies to meaningfully engage with young children. Students will plan and implement developmentally appropriate play experiences for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool-aged children. Criminal background check required

EDEC 430  Social and Emotional Development in the Young Child: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 160 and junior standing. (F) Social and emotional development in children birth to age eight in relation to young children's familial, social, and cultural contexts. This course also addresses effective strategies for promoting development and learning. Some observation of young children is required

EDEC 450  Literacy in the EC Classroom: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDEC 160 and Junior standing. (Sp) Offered every other Spring. Development of language and literacy from birth to age 8 utilizing an integrated approach to family, school, and community literacy. Theoretical and foundational perspectives of language development, literacy environments, and emergent literacy skills among young children

EDEC 453  P-3 Steam: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing and admittance to the Teacher Education program. (F) This course focuses on the integration of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics in early childhood (preschool – grade 3) classrooms using an inquiry and project-based approach to support young children’s learning. Emphasis to content methods and curriculum standards in the STEAM disciplines to promote P–3 student creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking

EDEC 455  P-3 English Language Arts and Social Studies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: EDU 330, junior standing, and admittance to the Teacher Education Program. (Sp) This course focuses on methods and strategies to support children's language, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in the context of P-3 classrooms. Developmentally appropriate practices and early learning standards are used to foster the child's sense of self, family, and community as related to social studies concepts

EDEC 490R  Undergraduate Research ECE: 1-6 Credits (1 Other)

(F, Sp) Research methods in Early Childhood Education, including survey, ethnography, case studies, and action research. Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research. May be repeated.
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

EDEC 491  Special Topics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number

EDEC 492  EC Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of department head. (Sp, Su) Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

EDEC 494  EC Seminar/Workshop: 1 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Senior standing. (F, Sp) Topics offered at the upper division level that are not covered in regular courses. Students participate in preparing and presenting class materials
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

EDEC 495  Early Childhood Practicum/Student Teaching: 4 Credits (1 Lec, 3 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Senior standing in major and student teaching applicant screening required. (F, Su) Criminal background check required. Senior capstone course. Supervised experience in programs for young children and collaboration with early childhood professionals in the community. Students will be responsible for lesson planning and teaching, as well as supervision and evaluation of young children in an NAEYC-accredited classroom

EDEC 498  EC Internship: 1-12 Credits (1-12 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor. (F, Sp, Su) An individualized assignment with a professional agency to provide a guided field experience. All students must receive department permission prior to registration
Repeatable up to 12 credits.