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Early Childhood Education
Course Descriptions

ECE courses meet for 3 class hours per week, or equivalent, and are 3 credit hour courses unless otherwise specified.

ECE 100. Basic Concepts in Early Childhood Education.
Required for those not meeting the reading placement test score prerequisite for early childhood education courses. Covers basic topics in child development for early childhood educators with emphasis on improving reading, writing, and presentation skills. Does not count towards degree or certificate program.

ECE 101. Transition to the Credit Program in Early Childhood Education.
1 credit.
Designed to provide a positive transition for 90-hour, non-credit course completers seeking upward mobility by enrolling in the credit program. Emphasis is on theoretical foundations of the profession, major topics in child development, and skills and techniques to ensure readiness for entry into credit courses. Preparation to take course equivalency tests for ECE 151 and ECE 257 is included.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of 90-hour non-credit child care course.

ECE 151. Child Growth and Development (formerly titled Introduction to Early Childhood Education). This course should be the first course taken. Students must receive a C or better to enroll in other ECE courses.
An introduction to the growth and development of children from birth to age eight. Emphasis is on physical, intellectual, emotional, and social aspects of child development and techniques to foster optimum development in early education settings.  Prerequisite: Reading requirement. This course can be taken concurrently with ECE 257, Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education. Together these two courses are the credit equivalent of the non-credit 90 hours. Upon successful completion of both courses students may go to Marlboro Hall 2054 for a letter to take to the County Childcare Licensing Office.

ECE 105. Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education.  
Provides a conceptual framework for understanding the role of the early childhood professional and services in the field of educating and caring for young children, ages Birth - 8. Emphasis is placed on applying developmentally appropriate practices to child care and early childhood development settings. (Do not take this course if you have previously taken ECE 279, Philosophy, Programs, and Practices in Early Childhood Education; or ECE 258, Current Issues in Early Childhood Education). Prerequisite: Reading requirement and ECE 151.

ECE 154. Observing and Recording Child Behavior.
Observing, recording, and interpreting behavior of children from birth to age eight in various settings using principles of early childhood development and education.  Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 156. Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education.
Introduction to the field of special education for children from birth to age eight, including characteristics of children with disabilities and instructional techniques to apply in child care and early childhood development settings. Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 165. Planning Programs for Infants and Toddlers.
Designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate program for infants and toddlers.
Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 170. Multicultural Education in the Preschool Classroom.
Cultural diversity with emphasis on understanding cultural pluralism and avoiding stereotyping. Prerequisite: Reading requirement.

ECE 191. Early Childhood Program Management.
Basic organization, management and operation of child care/early childhood education programs. Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 220. Internship in Special Education I.
Guided introductory experience in a developmental program for children with special needs. This program meets on Saturdays on the Largo campus. The weekly seminar focuses on the professional role and responsibilities of the special educator. Principles of quality developmental education, contemporary practices, and professional trends and issues will be covered, with emphasis on on-going professional development and self-evaluation skills. Students will begin to prepare a professional portfolio reflecting their experience. Prerequisites: ECE 151 and ECE 156.

ECE 251. Language Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Curriculum strategies for enhancing the language and literacy skills of children from birth to age eight in child care/early learning centers. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelationship of oral language, reading, and writing, and the key role of the early childhood environment in promoting literacy. Students will learn to foster language skills in all domains of the curriculum for young children.  Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 257. Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education.
Planning developmentally appropriate activities and curricula for young children from birth to age eight in child care and early childhood development settings. Examines curriculum models and learning activities to foster children's development. Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 259. Planning for Creativity.
Curriculum activities and techniques to enhance creativity of young children from birth to age eight in child care and early childhood development settings. Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 260. Guiding Behavior in Early Childhood Education.
Causes of various behavior problems and positive methods to solve them will be explored, with the goal of encouraging pro-social development. Prerequisite: ECE 151.

ECE 262. Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education.
A supervised educational on-the-job experience in an early childhood center or pre-school or primary grade classroom. Two class hours every other week. Twelve fieldwork hours per week.

ECE 281. Instructional Technology in Early Childhood Education.
Focuses on practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for incorporating technology in early childhood education settings, including resources for teachers, software for children, and center administration. Includes technological skill development using the Windows operating system, and covers teacher productivity software. Prerequisite: ECE 151.