ECH 101. INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

An introductory course focusing on the concepts and foundations of early childhood from infancy through grade two with special attention paid to the child from three to five years of age. Topics include: types of programs and differing philosophies, basics of child development, developmental and learning theory, the role of the teacher, observation, guidance, parent-teacher relationships, environment and curriculum basics.
Pre- or Corequisite: ECH 102.

ECH 102. INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
0 lec. 3 lab. 1 cr. hr.

An orientation to the Early Childhood Program and the college community, followed by a study of programs for young children developed through observation in the DCC Laboratory Nursery School and a variety of public and private early childhood settings. Emphasis will be on observation and on components of programs for children birth through 8 years with emphasis on ages 2 through 6.
Pre- or Corequisite: ECH 101.

ECH 107. PREPARING TO TEACH YOUNG CHILDREN
2 lec. 0 lab. 2 cr. hrs.

The study of the skills and concepts needed to enter the classroom as a teacher of young children emphasizing the translation of theory into practice. Topics include: communicating with children and parents, groups and transition times, daily routine, guidance, developing a lesson plan, daily and weekly planning methods, health and safety, initial consideration of evaluation and portfolios as well as personal philosophy and professionalism.
Prerequisite: ECH 101, ECH 102.

ECH 108. EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTICUM I
1 lec. 3 lab. 2 cr. hrs.

Students will experience an extended placement at an early childhood program in the community or at the Laboratory Nursery. Emphasis will be placed on becoming part of a team, assuming routine responsibilities in the classroom as well as specific planning for activities. Students will also attend a weekly seminar class, meet at regularly scheduled conferences during the semester with a field supervisor and complete logs and written assignments as designated. Notes: (1) Transportation to and from practicum sites is the responsibility of the student. (2) This course is the prerequisite of ECH 205/206 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
Prerequisite: ECH 101, ECH 102. Pre- or Corequisite: ECH 107.

ECH 111. CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
2 lec. 0 lab. 2 cr. hrs.

Develops and fosters a creative approach to appropriate activities relative to the young child’s total development. A study of meanings and values, as well as the development of skills for practical application. Through play, art, music and rhythms, science and nature, social studies, and related activity areas, the student is given the opportunity to explore the possibilities of varied teaching/learning media.

ECH 120. INFANT AND TODDLER CURRICULUM
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

This course will explore infant/toddler development, developmentally appropriate activities designed to promote physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth, curriculum development, teaching techniques and working with diverse infant and toddler families.

ECH 121. INFANT /TODDLER CURRICULUM FIELDWORK

0 lec. 3 lab. 1 cr. hr.
This course is designed to compliment academic course content in ECH 120, Infant and Toddler Curriculum. Students will observe and interact with infants and toddlers. The placements will be made in settings for children ages six weeks through toddlerhood and arranged by the field supervisor assigned. Transportation to field sites is the responsibility of the student.
Pre- or Corequisite: ECH 120.

ECH 131. IN-SERVICE PREPARATION FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE I
4 lec. 6 lab. 6 cr. hrs.

This course will be based on the guidelines for NAEYC’s CDA credentialing program. This course, in conjunction with ECH 132, will result in the issuing of a statement of applied academic credit by DCC and will prepare the student for the CDA assessment process of the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (part of NAEYC). The lecture portion of the course will include the study of: introduction to Early Childhood, how children learn and grow, safe and healthy environments, social emotional development, infant/toddler development and curriculum. Additionally, there will be a practicum component at the student’s current site of employment. Assignments and observation by field supervisors will support classroom topics.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and student must be employed in the field of early childhood.

ECH 132. IN-SERVICE PREPARATION FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE II
4 lec. 6 lab. 6 cr. hrs.

This course will be based on the guidelines for NAEYC’s CDA credentialing program. This course, in conjunction with ECH 131, will result in the issuing of a Statement of Applied Academic Credit by DCC and will prepare the student for the CDA assessment process given by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (part of NAEYC). The lecture portion of the course will include the study of: physical and intellectual growth, relationships with families, creativity and aesthetics, art and the young child, play and creativity, planning developmentally appropriate activities. Additionally, there will be a practicum component at the student’s current site of employment. Assignments and observation by field supervisors will support classroom topics.
Prerequisite: ECH 131.

ECH 205. EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY PRACTICUM
1 lec. 9 lab. 4 cr. hrs.

Students will experience an extended placement at an early childhood program in the community (two mornings per week). Emphasis will be placed on the workplace experience, including working with and relating to all members of staff, understanding the program in the context of the community it serves, working within any fiscal constraints of the program and respecting the educational philosophy of the program in which they are placed. Students will be required to execute learning experience presentations and will be exposed to practical experience in all aspects of program planning for young children. Students will also be required to attend a weekly seminar class, meet at regularly scheduled field supervisor conferences and complete written assignments as assigned.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of ECH 107 and completion of ECH 108 with a grade of C or better. Notes: (1) Either ECH 205 or ECH 206 must be taken as a corequisite of ECH 214. (2) Transportation to and from practicum sites is the responsibility of the student. (3) Students are required to submit a completed physical examination form within two weeks of the beginning of the semester.

ECH 206. EARLY CHILDHOOD LABORATORY NURSERY PRACTICUM
1 lec. 9 lab. 4 cr. hrs.

Students will experience an extended placement at the DCC Laboratory Nursery. Emphasis will be placed on translating theory into practice through learning experience presentations, curriculum planning, and practical experience in all aspects of programming for young children under supervision of a master teacher. Students will also be required to attend a weekly seminar, a weekly staff meeting following the seminar, meet with the master teacher before and after each practicum session to prepare the classroom environment and discuss classroom issues. Students will complete logs and written assignments and tasks as designated.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of ECH 107 and completion of ECH 108 with a grade of C or better. Notes: (1) Either ECH 205 or ECH 206 must be taken as a corequisite of ECH 214. (2) Transportation to and from practicum sites is responsibility of the student. (3) Students are required to submit a completed physical examination form within two weeks of the beginning of the semester.

ECH 207. OBSERVATION & ASSESSMENT FIELDWORK
0 lec. 3 lab. 1 cr. hr.

This course constitutes the fieldwork portion of ECH 214, Observation and Assessment of Young Children, for students seeking an A.S. degree in Early Childhood. Students, placed in pre-school through second grade classrooms, will develop competence in observing and assessing children’s development and in classroom performance by participating in an early childhood classroom. Students will complete journals and written assignments and tasks as designated by the field supervisor. This course is for A.S. students only.
Prerequisites: ECH 101, ECH 102, ECH 120, ECH 121.

Corequisite: ECH 214 or permission of the instructor.

ECH 212. LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A survey and evaluation of literature for young children, including discussion of related topics and controversial issues. Focusing on children’s picture storybooks, students will evaluate text, illustration, relevance to child development and content as well as the development of language through literature, techniques for sharing literature, and major authors and illustrators.
Prerequisite: ENG 101.

ECH 214. OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

A study of observation, evaluation and planning for the early childhood classroom based on the progression of children’s skills in the areas of emotional, social, physical, cognitive language and creative development. Topics include: observation techniques and tools, types of observations and their uses, prosocial behavior, integrating and planning inclusively for all children, connecting teaching, learning and assessment, sharing observational data with parents and developing a philosophy of teaching.
Prerequisite: For ECH students: ECH 107 or ECH 108 with a grade C or better. For EDE students: ECH 101, ECH 102, ECH 120 and ECH 121.

Corequisite: For ECH students, ECH 205 or ECH 206 or permission of instructor. For EDE students: ECH 207 or permission of the instructor.

ECH 254. FOUNDATIONS AND ISSUES IN DIVERSE EARLY CHILDHOOD/CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS
3 lec. 0 lab. 3 cr. hrs.

Students will examine historical perspectives and major issues facing early childhood educators today. Topics will include beginning the development of a philosophy of education through the examination of trends and alternative teaching philosophies, diversity in the classroom, developing an anti-bias curriculum, collaborating with culturally diverse families and New York Learning Standards.

Prerequisite: For ECH students: sophomore standing, ECH 101, and ENG 101. For EDE students: sophomore standing, ECH 101 with a grade of B or better and ENG 101.

ECH 271. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT I
1 cr. hr.

A special learning experience designed by one or more students with the cooperation and approval of a faculty member. Proposed study plans require departmental approval. Projects may be based on reading, research, community service, work experience, or other activities that advance the student’s knowledge and competence in the field of early childhood or related areas. The student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 35-50 hours.

ECH 272. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT II
2 cr. hrs.

Similar to ECH 271, except that the student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 70-90 hours.

ECH 273. SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT III
3 cr. hrs.

Similar to ECH 271, except that the student’s time commitment to the project will be approximately 105-135 hours.