Level 1 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ECED-1001 Foundations of ECE 2.00
- ECED-1003 Emotional Development & Early Relations 3.00
- ECED-1049 Observing Early Development 2.00
- ECED-1050 Child Development 1 3.00
- ECED-1051 Field Practicum 1 4.00
- PSYC-1009 Personal Development 3.00
- COMM-1069 Professional Communication for ECE 3.00
Level 2 Credits
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ECED-1005 Health Safety & Nutrition in ECE 2.00
- ECED-1052 Curriculum Design & Implementation 3.00
- ECED-1053 Promoting Pro-Social Behaviour 3.00
- ECED-1054 Child Development 2 3.00
- ECED-1055 Field Practicum 2 5.60
Level 3 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ECED-3003 Educational Perspectives 2.00
- ECED-3018 Inclusion-Issues & Implementation 3.00
- ECED-3025 Early Development & Relationships 3.00
- ECED-3020 Infant/Toddler Curriculum 3.00
- ECED-3023 Field Practicum 3 5.60
- SOCI-3003 Canadian Families:Change & Diversity 3.00
Level 4 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
- ECED-3006 School Aged Child Care 2.00
- ECED-3026 Child Abuse:Intervention & Prevention 3.00
- ECED-3010 Professionalism in ECE 3.00
- ECED-3021 Best Practice in Early Care & Education 3.00
- ECED-3022 Partnerships with Families 3.00
- ECED-3024 Field Practicum 4 5.60
Gen Ed - Electives
Take 3 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Level 2
COMM-1069 - Professional Communication for ECE
This course focuses on developing students’ written and oral communication skills. Through reading and responding to ECE-related material, students learn to think critically and express ideas clearly and concisely. Students have ongoing opportunities to build competence in the use of computer technology. In addition, they become familiar with the format and organization of common workplace documents, such as memos, letters, and emails. Principles of effective professional writing, including correct grammar and appropriate tone and diction, are emphasized throughout the course.
ECED-1001 - Foundations of ECE
This course provides an introduction to the foundations and principles of early childhood education, and identifies approaches to the care and education of young children that are child-centred, inclusive and developmentally appropriate. The roles and practices of the early childhood educator are observed and analyzed, through reflection on personal and professional behaviours.
ECED-1003 - Emotional Development & Early Relations
This course provides the opportunity to analyze the role of the educator in building supportive relationships that respond with sensitivity and respect to all children, enhance emotional and social development, and guide children's behaviour in ways which facilitate self esteem and self-control.
ECED-1005 - Health Safety & Nutrition in ECE
This course will identify components of a safe and healthy environment which meets the requirements of current legislation and regulatory bodies. The nutritional and health needs of young children are identified, and the implementation of appropriate environments and practices are discussed.
ECED-1049 - Observing Early Development
This course examines the critical role of observation, documentation and communication of insights into children's unique learning and developmental patterns. Commonly used observation and documentation techniques are introduced and practiced through in-class and field placement activities.
ECED-1050 - Child Development 1
This course emphasizes child development as the foundation for the practice of early childhood education. It presents research and theories that enhance our understanding of how young children develop and learn, and inform observations and interactions with children.
ECED-1051 - Field Practicum 1
In a child care setting with 2 - 5 year old children, students will have the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of preschool development and appropriate practice through routines and interactions. Students will foster supportive relationships with children, responding sensitively to children's behaviour and by using a variety of positive guidance techniques. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected, at a basic level. A competency-based evaluation is used to help students expand and develop their skills.
ECED-1052 - Curriculum Design & Implementation
Based on the principles that children learn through play and responsive interactions, this course provides the opportunity to design and plan curriculum for indoor and outdoor environments. Observations of individual development serve as the foundation for all components of the curriculum to ensure opportunities for meaningful learning, mastery and success for each child.
ECED-1053 - Promoting Pro-Social Behaviour
This course explores the need for Early Childhood Educators to establish relationships, support play and foster children's acceptance within the peer group. It examines strategies for creating an environment and curriculum that enhance positive peer interactions and pro-social behaviour. Based on research in resilience, this course identifies risk and protective factors affecting emotional development, and impacting behaviour in early childhood settings. Students explore specific strategies for Early Childhood Educators to promote resilience in children at risk.
ECED-1054 - Child Development 2
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply theories of child development that enhance our understanding of how young children develop and learn. The role of the Early Childhood Educator in fostering development through play will be analyzed.
ECED-1055 - Field Practicum 2
In a child care setting with children aged 2 1/2 to 5 years, students will have the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of the processes, sequences and diverse patterns of development and of educational principles by designing and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences. Students will create an inclusive environment through respectful and sensitive interactions, identification and response to emotional needs and facilitation of social skills and pro-social behaviours.
ECED-3003 - Educational Perspectives
This course compares and evaluates early childhood education philosophies and theories from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The emphasis will be on the student integrating current knowledge with experience from the field practicum, into a personal philosophy of Early Childhood Education.
ECED-3006 - School Aged Child Care
This course will describe the developmental characteristics and needs of children, aged six to twelve, and will identify guidelines for implementing developmentally appropriate practices in programs for school-age children. Observation methods and tools to evaluate and revise curriculum to reflect children's developmental needs will be included.
ECED-3010 - Professionalism in ECE
In this course, students will consider issues that influence the professional behaviour and image of early childhood education, including implementation of a common philosophy, ethics, advocacy, and ongoing professional development. They are encouraged to reflect on their own professionalism and appreciate the valuable contribution made by early childhood educators, both individually and collectively, to the broad spectrum of services for children and families.
ECED-3018 - Inclusion-Issues & Implementation
This course examines the principles and practicesof an inclusive philosophy in early childhoodprograms. Understanding of common special needsencountered in the early childhood population isfostered, as it relates to supporting childrenwith special needs and their families.Development of inclusive approaches to individualand class wide adaption is emphasized.
ECED-3020 - Infant/Toddler Curriculum
Based on theories of development this coursefocuses on best practice for infants and toddlersthat reflects individual development, diversityand learning through play. Emphasis is placed onthe early childhood educator's role inestablishing sensitive and responsive interactionswith the children. Each child's needs arepromoted through active learning withinchild-oriented environments, schedules androutines.
ECED-3021 - Best Practice in Early Care & Education
In this course students analyze the variousfactors that impact quality in the field of EarlyChildhood Education. Roles and responsibilitiesof the varying levels of government and relatedlegislation and regulations are examined.Leadership in human resources management, the roleof the director and program evaluation tools areexplored, as means of ensuring quality. In thiscourse, students have the opportunity to integrateand consolidate theoretical and practicallearning. Students will apply and evaluate theirpersonal philosophy of Early Childhood Education.
ECED-3022 - Partnerships with Families
This course examines the importance ofestablishing collaborative relationships withfamilies in Early Childhood programs. Issuesrelated to confidentiality, working with diversefamily compositions, and the importance ofresponsive and respectful interactions will beexplored. Linkage to community resources isemphasized.
ECED-3023 - Field Practicum 3
Students apply theory to practice in EarlyChildhood settings. Using their knowledge ofearly child development as the foundation,students plan, facilitate and analyze responsiveinteractions and opportunitites for learningthrough play. Professional attitudes andbehaviours are expected.
ECED-3024 - Field Practicum 4
Students apply theory to practice in a communitysetting that serves children and families. Usingearly child development as the foundation,students consolidate their knowledge and skills insupporting children and families. Professionalperformance at the graduate level is expected.
ECED-3025 - Early Development & Relationships
This course emphasizes that attachment, securityand emotional well-being from the prenatal periodthroughout the first years of life are thefoundation for child-adult relationships. Theprocess of emotional development and individualdifferences in experience, temperament and needsare highlighted through observations. Autonomy,trust and positive self concept are emphasized asthe basis for responsive and respectfulinteractions and guidance approaches.
ECED-3026 - Child Abuse:Intervention & Prevention
This course provides information regarding theEarly Childhood Educator's legal responsibilitiesin identifying, documenting and reportingsuspicions of child abuse and neglect. The coursecovers types, indicators and causes of abuse andneglect, as well as preparing students to dealwith situations where a child or parent disclosesabuse or domestic violence. The role of the EarlyChildhood Educator and strategies for supportingfamilies and children are also covered. Studentswill have the opportunity to address personalfeelings about child abuse, through coursematerials and discussion.
PSYC-1009 - Personal Development
This course will introduce the concepts of bias-free values and respect for diversity, as foundations for effective interpersonal relationships. Through this course, students will assess personal values and beliefs that influence attitudes towards and relationships with children, families and colleagues. Sensitive, effective and supportive communication methods will be identified and practised within the classroom setting. Skills and attitudes required for collaborative professional interactions will be emphasized throughout.
SOCI-3003 - Canadian Families:Change & Diversity
This course introduces students to seven different sociological theories that apply to the family as outlined in the first chapter of the text. The predominant focus will be on change within Canadian families, with particular emphasis on the increasingly diverse nature of families in The course will involve students to develop skill in critical thinking, research and evaluation while regarding culture. Large picture or global connections and micro theories (interactional and transactional perspectives) will be considered.
