EDUC105 Foundations for Early Learning: PreK - 4
Department of Social & Behavioral Science: Education
- I. Course Number and Title
- EDUC105 Foundations for Early Learning: PreK - 4
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- Reading Placement Test score Level 3 or READ110 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course includes five hours of observation. Pennsylvania Department of Education Clearances required.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Students learn about the early childhood profession and its relationship to families, communities, and cultures. The course explores the profession in terms of legal, historical, philosophical, and ethical perspectives. Students examine developmentally appropriate practice aligned with current PA standards. Students complete five hours of observation.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- describe a variety of roles in the early childhood profession and the dispositions required for those roles;
- describe the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships with diverse families and demonstrate ways to build those relationships;
- explain the stressors families might experience and identify supports and community resources for families;
- describe the early childhood profession's historical, legal, philosophical, and ethical frameworks and discuss ways to advocate for children; and
- identify the relevant state and national standards, codes, and guidelines that support the Early Childhood field and demonstrate their application.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
Learning activities, lectures, and class discussion will focus on the following topics:
- The Early Childhood professional
- Professionalism
- Roles in early childhood
- Skills and dispositions of effective early childhood professionals
- Understanding the young child
- Domains of development
- Meeting the needs of all students
- Diversity of children
- Including families
- Importance of relationships with families
- Developing reciprocal relationships with families
- Respecting diverse families
- Collaborating with families and communities
- Supporting families
- Identify concerns and stressors families may face
- Identify community resources available to help families support children
- Early childhood profession today
- Historical perspective
- International and philosophical perspectives
- Legal context
- Ethical considerations
- Being an advocate for young children
- Relevant state and national standards
- NAEYC standards
- PA standards
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
The assessment of course goals includes projects, in-class discussions, online discussions, classroom observations, class participation, and exams. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Departmentally selected textbook. Details provided by the instructor of each course section. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date -3/99; Revised 7/2010; New Core 8/2015; Revision 6/2017