COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ECE – Early Childhood Education
ECE 123 – Foundations, Principles, & Practices of Early Childhood Education: 3 credits
This course examines current philosophies in the field of Early Childhood Education, the tension created by opposing philosophies, and how adherence to these philosophies is translated into educational principles and practices. The relationship between play and learning will be explored. Integration of curriculum into the learning experience in a developmentally appropriate environment will be stressed.
ECE 204 – Methods & Materials: 3 credits
This course focuses on developing an integrated curriculum based on the socio-emotional, sensorimotor, and cognitive skills of the 0-8 year-old child. Emphasis will be on providing an integrated, hands-on learning environment that parallels the maturation of the young child. Students will gain experience in lesson planning and practical use of curriculum materials. The courses will include classroom observations and field work.
Prerequisites: EDU 133 and ECE 123
ECE 333 – Integrating the Related Arts: 3 credits
This course offers an exploration of the integration of the creative arts in an elementary school setting. Special emphasis will be given to the areas of art, music, and creative dramatics and on how to integrate skills and activities in these areas into the elementary curriculum. A hands-on, thematic approach will be explored and adaptations for teaching the exceptional child, including the gifted, will be included.