Early Childhood Education Online
Are you curious to see what it takes to educate and nurture early learners? Use your curiosity to explore the fundamentals of childcare, like nutrition and safety, but also the complex relationships caregivers have with parents and their children. Examine the various life stages of child development and the best educational practices to enrich their minds while thinking about a possible future as a childcare provider! Discover the joys of providing exceptional childcare and helping to develop future generations. Learn the importance of play and use it to build engaging educational activities that build literacy and math skills through each stage of childhood and special need. Use this knowledge to develop your professional skills well suited to a career in childcare!
When enrolling in the full year option of this course it will be delivered in two semesters. Transcripts will reflect each semester separately
Unit 1: Childcare Roles and Obligations
• Explain why early childhood education matters.
• Describe different types of families and parenting arrangements.
• Describe the legal responsibilities of parenthood.
• Discuss the moral or ethical responsibilities of parenthood.
• Describe the basic responsibilities of childcare providers.
• Explain how culture and diversity impact the childcare environment.
Unit 2: A Clean, Safe and Healthy Childcare Environment
• Demonstrate how to sanitize and disinfect the childcare environment.
• Demonstrate proper hand-washing technique and practices.
• Describe safe infant sleep habits.
• Describe appropriate security for the childcare home or center.
Unit 3: Food and Nutrition
• Describe and explain the USDA and state requirements for meals in a childcare facility.
• Explain what is required for participation in the Child and Adult Food Care Program.
• Explain how to plan meals and menus for children.
• Describe positive mealtime strategies.
Unit 4: Rules and Regulations
• Describe the types of childcare facilities.
• Explain how childcare facilities are regulated.
• Describe the rules that apply to childcare facilities.
• Describe the signs and symptoms of child abuse.
• Explain how to speak to a child disclosing abuse.
Unit 5: Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Describe the signs and stages of pregnancy
• Explain the characteristics of each trimester of pregnancy
• Discuss best practices for a healthy pregnancy and how prenatal medical care commonly proceeds
• Analyze the stages of birth from onset of contractions to delivery of the placenta
• Consider the benefits of breastfeeding
Unit 6: Early Childhood Development
• Define and discuss physical, cognitive, language, and social development.
• Describe the typical stages of development from infancy through the school years.
• Describe how to recognize typical developmental milestones.
• Explain when to talk to parents about possible developmental delays.
Unit 7: Special Needs and Inclusivity
• Review the history of and landmark turning points in special education
• Discuss how disabilities like Down syndrome and cleft palate affect infants’ needs
• Describe how toddlers cope with disabilities like autism or muscular dystrophy
• Explain the way inclusive classrooms function for pre-school and school-aged children
Unit 8: Spotlight on Administration: Setting Up Your Childcare Program
• Understand the daily life and responsibilities of an early childhood entrepreneur
• Decide on a legal business structure that meets your needs
• Plan for business finances, including budgets, expenses, and taxes
• Discuss how marketing, advertising, and sales generate income for a business
• Discern growth strategies to increase business revenue
Unit 9: Play: A Child’s Work
• Describe how children develop and grow cognitively during early childhood
• Describe when play behaviors develop and how children play at different ages
• Explain what the types of play are and how they benefit children
• Explain how to integrate play into children’s activities in a childcare setting
Unit 10: Guidance and Discipline
• Describe the three basic types of child discipline
• Explain how to effectively communicate with children
• Explain how to use positive language to create good behavior and self-esteem
• Describe when to intervene and help children manage their own interactions
• Explain how to discipline children at different ages
Unit 11: Communication, Observation, and Recording
• Demonstrate developmentally appropriate communication with children
• Demonstrate how to talk with parents and maintain open communication
• Describe what observation is and how to observe children
• Explain screenings, assessments, evaluations, and proper record keeping in a childcare setting
• Describe and discuss how to use your observations to improve the care of children
Unit 12: Early Literacy Skills
• Describe how to encourage language development in young children
• Identify ways young children use language
• Explain what a literacy-rich environment looks like and how to create one
• List the six essential pre-literacy skills
• Explain how to support children in learning pre-literacy skills
Unit 13: Early Math Skills
• Explain pre-math skills that children should know before entering kindergarten
• Understand how math skills develop from birth to age two
• Discuss building math skills during the toddler years
• Define math skills children should learn in pre-school
• Reflect on how personal math experiences may impact teaching and discuss creating a math-rich learning environment
Unit 14: Planning Appropriate Curriculum and Activities
• Understand the components of pedagogy, including curriculum, teaching methodology, and child socialization
• Explore some popular curriculum models
• Create your own curriculum through thematic and lesson planning
• Consider activities to foster physical exercise, outdoor play, and music and arts exploration in children of all ages
Unit 15: Using Technology in Early Childhood Education
• Explain best practices when using media and technology with young children
• Describe how to choose quality and age-appropriate media for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Discuss administrative concerns around educational technology, including technology policies and technology tools for teachers
• Consider contemporary issues in educational technology
Unit 16: Personal Goals and Development
• Explain how to develop an educational plan that will help you to meet your goals
• Describe good work habits
• Describe where to find and how to use professional-development opportunities
• Explain what personality traits will help you succeed
• Explain how to care for yourself while caring for children