Course Descriptions
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 101 | INTRO TO EARLY CHILDHOOD ED | 3 (3-0) |
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 Co-requisite: ECH 102.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 102 | INTRO SEM: PROG FOR YNG CHLDRN | 1 (0-3) |
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 Co-requisite: ECH 101.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 107 | PREPARING TO TEACH YOUNG CHLDN | 2 (2-0) |
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. Note: This course must be taken with or prior to ECH 108. Prerequisites: ECH 101, ECH 102.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 108 | EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTICUM I | 2 (1-3) |
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. Prerequisites: ECH 101, ECH 102. Pre- or Corequisite: ECH 107.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 111 | CURRIC ACTIV FOR YOUNG CHILDRN | 2 (2-0) |
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.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 120 | INFANT AND TODDLER CURRICULUM | 3 (3-0) |
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.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 121 | INFANT & TODDLER CURRIC FLDWRK | 1 (0-3) |
This course is designed to complement 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 Co-requisite: ECH 120.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 131 | IN-SERVICE PREP FOR CDA I | 6 (4-6) |
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 the department and student must be employed in the field of early childhood.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 132 | IN-SERVICE PREP FOR CDA II | 6 (4-6) |
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.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 205 | ECH COMMUNITY PRACTICUM | 4 (1-9) |
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. 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. (4) Students must register for both a lecture and a lab Prerequisites: Successful completion of ECH 107 and completion of ECH 108 with a grade of C or better.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 206 | ECH LAB NURSERY PRACTICUM | 5 (1-12) |
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. 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. Prerequisites: Successful completion of ECH 107 and completion of ECH 108 with a grade of C or better.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 212 | LANG & LIT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 (3-0) |
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 the child's development and content as well as the development of language through literature, techniques for sharing literature, and major authors and illustrators. Prerequisite: ENG 101.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 214 | DEV APPROP PAC: OBSRV & ASSESS | 3 (3-0) |
Through observation, assessment and study students will examine the development of children ages birth through 8 years of age in the areas of emotional, social, physical, cognitive, language and creative development. Class work, reading and child observations will be used by the students to consider implications for developmentally appropriate curriculum planning, classroom management and organization. Co-requisites: ECH205 or ECH 206 or EED 207.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 254 | DIVERSE ECH/ELEM CLASSROOMS | 3 (3-0) |
Students will examine historical perspectives and contemporary issues facing early childhood/childhood educators in America 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: Either ECH 107 and ENG 102 or EED103 with a grade of B- or better and ENG 101 with a grade of B or better.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 271 | SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT I | 1 (1-0) |
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.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 272 | SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT II | 2 (2-0) |
Similar to ECH 271, except that the student's time commitment to the project will be approximately 70-90 hours.
| Prefix | Number | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECH | 273 | SPECIAL STUDY PROJECT III | 3 (3-0) |
Similar to ECH 271, except that the student's time commitment to the project will be approximately 105-135 hours.