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Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of child development as it relates to program, curriculum development and teaching strategies for all young children and their families.
2. Develop an individual child portfolio using components required in a detailed child observation and assessment process.
3. Use naturalistic observation and assessment of children's developing interests, behaviors and abilities to design appropriate curriculum and environments for a variety of curriculum content areas and classroom activities.
4. Describe the role of the physical environment in planning indoor and outdoor spaces that support the curriculum and interactions of children and teachers.
5. Discuss individual and group interaction, guidance and management strategies that facilitate respectful and supportive learning environments for all children.
6. Examine a variety of effective communication strategies and techniques that promote positive relationships with staff and families in the early childhood program.
7. Identify the qualities and characteristics of the early childhood professional.
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I. Practicum requirements, duties and responsibilities
A. Operating policies
B. Children and families served
C. The role of the student teacher including professionalism and ethics
II. Developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
A. Developmental characteristics including considerations for curriculum
B. Activities and experiences to support diverse learners
C. Curriculum integration across developmental domains
D. Activities and experiences for foundational content and interest areas
1. Language and Literacy
2. Math
3. Science and sensory experiences
4. Social Studies
5. Visual and performing arts
6. Dramatic play
7. Blocks
8. Indoor/outdoor large motor activities
III. Appropriate environments for young children
A. The physical setting
1. Equipment and materials
2. Room arrangement
3. Outdoor environment
B. The temporal setting
1. Daily routines and schedules
2. Timing for transitions
C. Grouping for learning
1. Circle and whole group activities
2. Primary and small group activities
3. Individual
IV. Authentic documentation and assessment
A. Observation and recording using the Desired Results System
1. Anecdotal recording for curriculum and individual assessment
2. Organizational strategies for gathering data
B. Documentation of data
1. Record keeping tools for individual children and program
2. Collecting samples and artifacts
3. Developing the individual child portfolio
C. Interpretation of data to design curriculum to meet individual and group needs
V. Interactions with children
A. Effective communication strategies with children
B. Appropriate individual guidance and group management strategies
C. Effective strategies for guiding children with challenging behaviors
VI. Role of the teacher
A. Qualities of effective teachers
1. Communication with colleagues and staff
2. Participation as a member of a collaborative teaching team
3. Organization and management the classroom
4. Self-reflection and personal assessment
5. Ethical conduct and decision making
6. Advocacy for children and families
B. Organization and management the classroom
1. Self-reflection and personal assessment
2. Ethical conduct and decision making
3. Advocacy for children and families
C. Partnerships with families
1. Family participation in the early childhood program
2. Communication and conferencing with the family
3. Sensitivity to family values and cultural backgrounds
D. Career and professional development
1. Career pathways and education
2. Professional portfolio development
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To Teach Well-An Early Childhood Practicum Guide by Gordon and Brown, Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey, 2009
Creative Curriculum-for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, 2nd Edition, by Dodge, Rudick and Berke. Teaching Strategies, Washington, D.C. 2006
Creative Curriculum for Preschool, 4th Edition, by Dodge, Colker, Heroman. Teaching Strategies, Washington, D.C. 2002-Classic