Education: Early Childhood (EEC)

Examines the role of play in early learning, including strategies for designing age-appropriate environments, facilitating purposeful play, and using play-based approaches to observe and assess children's development.

Examines cognitive development in children from birth to age eight, with emphasis on planning age-appropriate instructional activities and curriculum content in language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies.

This course explores the role of the family and the influence of the community on the development of children and youth in a diverse society and will prepare students to work effectively with families and communities.

This course introduces the child life profession and its role in supporting children and families in healthcare settings. Students will explore how child life specialists address the developmental and psychosocial needs of children facing illness, injury, and hospitalization. The course emphasizes applying child development principles to reduce stress, promote coping, and foster resilience. Topics include therapeutic play, procedure preparation, family-centered care, grief support, and the child life role within interdisciplinary teams.

Capstone experience taken concurrently with the final internship. Trends and issues within the field of early childhood education are examined from the perspective of the final internship experience.

Full-time practicum focused on applying and refining instructional practices in approved school or agency settings. Students assume increasing responsibility for planning, teaching, and professional collaboration.

Provides a supervised field experience in an early childhood setting to observe instruction and practice effective teaching strategies. Students begin to assume instructional responsibilities and apply professional competencies in real-world contexts.