Early Childhood Education, A.S. Degree

Program Design

The Early Childhood Education associate degree program is designed to prepare qualified students to become teachers of young children.

Curriculum

The Early Childhood Education program curriculum focuses on the developmental needs of young children from birth to five years of age, and emphasizes a practical approach to supporting and enhancing growth and development. Course work in theory and methods is enhanced by participation in the field experience segment of the program.

The program is available to the student full- or part-time.

Students who want to teach children in kindergarten, first, second or third grades should plan to transfer to the Early Childhood Education program at a baccalaureate institution after receiving this degree.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all Early Childhood Education degree program requirements, graduates will

1. Support young children in early childhood programs using skills in observation, documentation, assessment, and application.  
2. Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate lesson/activity plans that foster children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development and involve families.  
3. Demonstrate effective teaching strategies in an early childhood program, based upon child development theory and family involvement principles, which include setting up the learning environment, letting children practice skills and ideas, interacting positively with children, colleagues, and families, and modeling behavior we want children to emulate.
4. Evaluate the quality of an early childhood program through curriculum activities, routines, and teacher and child engagement, the learning environment, teacher/child interaction, and family involvement.

In addition, the graduate will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes identified with the General Education Core.

Division of Social Science and Hospitality: 860-512-2750

Source: 2011-2012 Course Catalog