CDF 48 - Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

Catalog Description

Transfer Status: CSU
Unit(s): 3.00

Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is a study of the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children birth through age eight. Explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. Identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Introduces best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. (C-ID ECE 120).

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Describe historical and current issues and global approaches for early care and education.
Differentiate between various types of settings in relation to the ages served, regulations, and teacher requirements.
Identify the roles and responsibilities of an early childhood educator for curriculum and teaching, family engagement, ethical practice, and professional interactions with others in the classroom.
Identify and compare the developmental stages and needs of children, birth through age eight.
Describe Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
Explain the role and value of play.
Compare and contrast principles of positive guidance and interactions.
Explain how theories of learning and development guide early childhood environment design, curriculum, and teaching strategies.
Explain the ongoing curriculum cycle of observation, planning, implementation, and assessment.
Identify supports for first and dual language learners in developing English language and literacy skills including support for the home language.
Develop an initial personal philosophy of early childhood teaching.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
Topics	Lec Hrs
Historical and current approaches Theories of development and learning National and international philosophies of education and care Types of programs Ages served Governance, licensing, and regulations Teacher requirements Developmentally Appropriate Practice State and national standards for quality and content	12.75
Introduction to the profession of early childhood teaching Teacher's knowledge of: Child development Teaching strategies The academic disciplines they will be teaching (e.g., language and literacy, the arts, mathematics, social students, science, technology and engineering, physical education) Content standards Professional and ethical conduct Teacher's personal qualities: Flexibility Tolerance Patience Critical thinking Physical ability Mental health Self-reflection Awareness of personal attitudes and bias Teacher's role: Relationships and interactions with children, families, and others Planning and evaluating curriculum Intentional Teaching Creating supportive environments Cultural competency Dual language learners Families Staff Communication strategies and purposes Teacher-child interactions and focused conversations With families as partners Positive guidance Supervision of other adults in the classroom Professional growth: Philosophy of teaching Professional development Professional memberships and affiliations Career pathways	12.75
Children's development from birth through age eight Physical Cognitive Language Social Emotional Influences on development Heredity and environment Families Culture Teachers Communities	12.75
Introduction to developmentally appropriate teaching and learning environments Elements of early childhood environments Indoor and outdoor designs and uses of physical space Routines Equipment and materials Emotional climate Relationship to curriculum goals Impacts on behavior Health, safety, and nutrition Family involvement spaces Adjusting for ages, abilities, and interests Staffing Early childhood teaching Introduction to developmentally appropriate approaches The ongoing cycle of observation, planning, implementation, and assessment Effective pedagogy for young children The importance of relationships Play-based teaching and learning Teacher-guided Child-initiated Positive guidance and discipline Typical learning trajectories in different domains of development and their implications for curriculum design Supports for dual language learners Modification for individual needs	12.75
Total Hours:	51.00

Methods of Instruction

Class Activities
Collaborative Group Work
Group Discussions
Guest Speakers
Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
Lecture
Multimedia Presentations
Observations at Various Types of Programs for Young Children; Interviews of Professionals in the Field

Methods of Evaluation

Exams/Tests
Papers
Projects
Journal
Group Participation (Inactive)
Class participation
Class Discussion
Observations/interviews

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

Read about current approaches in the field of early childhood education and write a two-page report summarizing your findings.
Read about historic models and influences in the field of early childhood education and create a timeline of significant events to share with your group.

Writing Assignments

Develop a one-page personal philosophy of teaching and learning in early childhood.
Write a 1,500-word paper identifying the roles and responsibilities of an early childhood educator for curriculum and teaching, family engagement, ethical practice, and professional interactions with others in the classroom.

Out-of-Class Assignments

Research a community agency that supports children, and identify the services they offer, and their benefits to the family system. Share your findings with the class.
Conduct an interview with a professional in the fields of child development or early childhood education, and summarize your findings in a two-page report, PowerPoint, or MindMap.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Morrison, G. (2020). Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education. Pearson, 9th. 9780135240519.

Bredekamp, S. (2023). Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation. Pearson, 5th. 9780137848911.

Henniger, M. (2018). Teaching Young Children: An Introduction. Pearson, 6th. 9780134569994.

Other Learning Materials

Open Educational Resource - Canvas Commons: https://lor.instructure.com/resources/0b59c2e20f3e48a1b75a710334ca1f8a?shared

Open Educational Resource - LibreTexts: https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Early_Childhood_Education/Principles_and_Practices_of_Teaching_Young_Children_(Stephens_et_al.)

Minimum Qualifications

Child Dev/Early Childhood Ed