Course Description
This course will examine the principles of planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum in early childhood education settings. Relationships among developmental theory, philosophy, and practice will be the focus of study. Special emphasis will be given to curriculum development, curriculum methods, child-centered planning and active learning experiences for children using a wide range of early childhood curriculum models. This course is part of the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Credentials.
Prerequisite(s)
ECED 1513 - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe a variety of valid assessment procedures, screening tools, and observation methods and their role in supporting children’s development and learning and in informing the instructional process.
- Describe culturally and linguistically responsive assessment procedures, screening tools, and observation methods and appropriate strategies for engaging families in the assessment process.
- Select and use legal and ethical assessment procedures, screening tools, and observation methods, and organizational strategies to gain knowledge of children and their familial and social contexts.
- Identify the impact and influence of external factors on assessment practices.
- Evaluate and select appropriate strategies for collecting, measuring, disseminating, and utilizing observation, screening, and assessment data which are responsive to the strengths and challenges of individual children and reflective of family goals and priorities.
- Implement and adapt effective observation, screening, assessment strategies that engage families and inform group and individual planning and instruction.
Topical Outline
1. Developmentally appropriate curriculum
2. Early intervention
3. Lesson plans
4. Picture schedule
5. Greeting circles
6. Story time
7. Music/movement
8. Room design
9. Gross motor activities
10. Aesthetic enrichment
11. Dramatic play
12. Language/literacy
13. Block/construction
14. Cooking/sensory
2. Early intervention
3. Lesson plans
4. Picture schedule
5. Greeting circles
6. Story time
7. Music/movement
8. Room design
9. Gross motor activities
10. Aesthetic enrichment
11. Dramatic play
12. Language/literacy
13. Block/construction
14. Cooking/sensory