Course Category: Early Childhood Education

This course helps students understand how health, safety, and nutrition affect the growth and development of children birth through age eight. The focus is on preventive health and working with families to promote wellness in young children. Topics include chronic diseases and medical conditions, medical emergencies, abused and neglected children, nutrients and nutrition guidelines, health and safety education, and planning for safety in indoor and outdoor environments.

Special Topics courses cover special topics not covered by current courses taught in the department. The particular topic selected is to be determined by the department according to the current need and interest. This course required departmental chair approval.

This field experience requires a minimum of 20 clock hours at the infant/ toddler level. The focus is observation and discussion of environments, interactions, and activities appropriate for infants/toddlers. There is an emphasis on Iowa’s Early Learning Standards.

This field experience requires a minimum of 40 clock hours at the prekindergarten level. The focus is observation and discussion of the role of a prekindergarten teacher. Students design and deliver lessons based on Iowa’s Early Learning Standards and Creative Curriculum.

This course covers special topics not covered by current courses taught in the department. The particular topic is to be determined by the department according to the current need and interest. This course requires department chair approval.

This course provides students with a historical and philosophical foundation of early childhood education. Topics include issues and trends in the field of early childhood, theoretical perspectives related to child development, the importance of play, developmentally appropriate practice, and careers and professionalism for early childhood educators. Ten clock hours of observation in an early childhood setting are required.

This course helps students understand the purpose of formal and informal assessment in early childhood. Students learn about different types of assessments used with infant through school age children. Topics include issues and trends in early childhood assessment, how to use assessment results, types of documentation and observation, checklists, rating scales and rubrics, portfolios, and communicating with parents. Ten clock hours of observation in an early childhood setting are required.

This course addresses the development of environments and curriculum for young children birth to preschool. Topics include developmentally appropriate practice, indoor and outdoor learning environments, the importance of play, anti-bias considerations, and exploration of curriculum models. Students plan curricula that incorporates dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor activities, sensory activities, science, social studies, math, literacy, and construction.

This course provides guidance on the administration, organization, and operation of high quality early childhood programs for children birth to age eight. Topics include roles and responsibilities associated with the director role, state and federal guidelines, staff selection, supervision and evaluation, planning developmentally appropriate curriculum, financial and facility management, policy development, partnerships with families, and advocacy for young children.

This field experience requires a minimum of 20 clock hours at the infant/ toddler level. The focus is observation and discussion of environments, interactions, and activities appropriate for infants/toddlers. There is an emphasis on Iowa's Early Learning Standards.

This field experience requires a minimum of 40 clock hours at the prekindergarten level. The focus is observation and discussion of the role of a prekindergarten teacher. Students design and deliver lessons based on Iowa’s Early Learning Standards and Creative Curriculum.

This course helps students understand how health, safety, and nutrition affect the growth and development of children birth through age 8. The focus is on preventive health and working with families to promote wellness in young children. Topics addressed include chronic diseases and medical conditions, medical emergencies, abused and neglected children, nutrients and nutrition guidelines, health and safety education, and planning for safety in indoor and outdoor environments.

This course covers special topics not covered by current courses taught in the department. The particular topic is to be determined by the department according to the current need and interest. This course requires program chair approval.

This course provides students with a historical and philosophical foundation of early childhood education. Topics include issues and trends in the field early childhood, theoretical perspectives related to child development, the importance of play, developmentally appropriate practice, and careers and professionalism for early childhood educators. Ten clock hours of observation in an early childhood setting are required.

This course helps students understand the purpose of formal and informal assessment in early childhood. Students learn about different types of assessments used with infant through school age children. Topics include issues and trends in early childhood assessment, how to use assessment results, types of documentation and observation, checklists, rating scales and rubrics, portfolios, and communicating with parents. Ten clock hours of observation in an early childhood setting are required.

This course provides guidance on the administration, organization, and operation of high quality early childhood programs for children birth to age eight. Topics include roles and responsibilities associated with the director role, state and federal guidelines, staff selection, supervision, and evaluation, planning developmentally appropriate curriculum, financial and facility management, policy development, partnerships with families, and advocacy for young children.

This course addresses the development of environments and curriculum for young children birth to preschool. Topics include developmentally appropriate practice, indoor and outdoor learning environments, the importance of play, anti-bias considerations, and exploration of curriculum models. Students plan curricula that incorporates dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor activities, sensory activities, science, social studies, math, literacy, and construction.