AAS Early Childhood Education Curriculum: Shaping Future Educators
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a comprehensive program designed to prepare individuals for a fulfilling and impactful career working with young children. This curriculum focuses on equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in various early childhood settings, from preschools to infant/toddler programs.
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to teach young children in a variety of inclusive early childhood settings, including preschools, pre-kindergartens, Head Start, childcare centers and infant/toddler programs. The program is offered at the Eastern, Metropolitan and Western campuses. Students will receive a basic understanding of principles of early childhood education, child growth and development, and will develop specific skills in planning and implementing the curriculum in centers. Upon completion of the program, students will be qualified to assume lead teacher and director positions. Graduates of this program may work with children birth through five years of age. To work with children in kindergarten or the primary grades, a baccalaureate degree and state teacher’s license for Pre-K to third grade is required. A number of four-year teacher preparation programs have transfer agreements with the College’s Early Childhood program.
Curriculum Focus
The AAS in Early Childhood Education emphasizes a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Coursework includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of:
Child Development: Understanding the diverse ways in which children learn by interpreting and applying knowledge of child growth and development. Building foundation for explaining how children develop in all domains, conception through early adolescence. Explore various developmental theories, methods for documenting growth, and impact of brain development. Topics and issues addressed: stress, trauma, culture, race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, family status, language, and health.
Curriculum Development: Designing, implementing, and evaluating experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children. Design curriculum that integrates all academic content areas, is aligned with early learning standards, and uses effective pedagogical methods.
Read also: Evaluating Progress in Early Education
Assessment: Using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools for planning curriculum, identifying special needs, deepening understanding of child development, communicating with families and professionals, and improving teaching practices. Collect and record observation and assessment data in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the group, and the community. Practice reflection techniques, summarizing conclusions, and communicating findings.
Creating Inclusive Environments: Creating an inviting and enriched environment that supports children’s optimal growth and development within the context of group living.
Teaching Strategies: Integrating and using a variety of respectful, responsive teaching strategies.
Diversity and Inclusion: Demonstrating acceptance of all children and families, supporting cultural diversity, developing a program based on anti-biased principles, and interacting and relating to all persons in a responsive, respectful manner.
Professionalism and Ethics: Displaying positive leadership qualities within an early childhood environment. Using reflective and ethical practices in the classroom, advocating, accessing resources, practicing appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication, listening and interacting respectfully, using Standard English in writing and speaking. Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior. Advocate for an ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective early childhood education profession. Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research. Collaborate with peers to problem solve within early childhood education and other disciplines.
Read also: Definition: Early Childhood Education
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the AAS in Early Childhood Education, graduates will be able to:
- Support the diverse ways in which children learn by interpreting and applying knowledge of child growth and development.
- Include and value children, families and communities, create respectful reciprocal relationships, support and involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
- Use observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools for: planning curriculum, identifying special needs, deepening understanding of child development, communicating with families and professionals and improving teaching practices.
- Create an inviting and enriched environment that supports children’s optimal growth and development within the context of group living.
- Design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
- Integrate and use a variety of respectful, responsive teaching strategies.
- Demonstrate acceptance of all children and families, support cultural diversity, develop a program based on anti-biased principles and interact and relate to all persons in a responsive, respectful manner.
- Display positive leadership qualities within an early childhood environment.
- Use reflective and ethical practices in the classroom, advocate, access resources, practice appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication, listen and interact respectfully, use Standard English in writing and speaking.
- Design developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote each child's growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
- Implement developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences.
- Maintain a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
- Assess children's learning and development through observation and documentation, using guidelines established by the profession.
- Establish reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with families and communities.
- Utilize communication skills to advocate for children and their families.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Specific Course Examples
- ECE 251 Curriculum in Early Childhood Education: This course delves into learning theory, program planning, tools, and methods for curriculum development, promoting language, fine/gross motor, social-emotional, cognitive, and creative skills and growth in children birth through age 8, utilizing developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive practice.
- ECE 210 Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children: Focuses on the collection and recording of observation and assessment data in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the group, and the community. Practice reflection techniques, summarizing conclusions, and communicating findings.
- ECE 126 Social/Emotional Development for Infants and Toddlers: Explores the unique developmental needs of infants & toddlers. Study the role of the caregiver, relationships with families, developmentally appropriate practices, nurturing environments for infants and toddlers, and culturally retentive care. Work/volunteer directly with children outside of class time.
- CFS/ECH 269 Child Growth and Development: Build foundation for explaining how children develop in all domains, conception through early adolescence. Explore various developmental theories, methods for documenting growth, and impact of brain development. Topics and issues addressed: stress, trauma, culture, race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, family status, language, and health.
Admission and Program Requirements
- General Requirements: High School Diploma/GED, Complete ENG-0995 Applied College Literacies Language Fundamentals II with “C” or higher or achieve appropriate score on English Placement Test, Qualified Mathematics placement.
- Background Checks: Students will be required to complete and submit a medical statement and request for a background check and submit fingerprints according to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) process prior to taking ECED 1860 Experience with Young Children in Early Childhood Settings. Social Security card and picture ID will be required for the Webcheck background process to be completed.
- Health Assessments: Completion of CVCC’s Early Childhood Education program may be contingent upon receipt of a CVCC medical form documenting that the applicant possesses satisfactory physical and mental health.
- GPA Requirements: The Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Associate Licensure requires an overall grade point average of 2.00, a grade point average of 2.50 in Early Childhood (ECED) and Education (EDUC) courses, and 3.00 in the teaching practicums and seminar (ECED-1860 Experience with Young Children in Early Childhood Settings, ECED-2870 Early Childhood Education Student Teaching Practicum, ECED-2990 Early Childhood Education Student Teaching Seminar).
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the AAS in Early Childhood Education are prepared for various roles, including:
- Lead Teacher
- Childcare Center Director
- Preschool Teacher
- Infant/Toddler Caregiver
- Family Child Care Provider
Transfer Opportunities
While the AAS degree is primarily designed for immediate employment, many colleges have transfer agreements with four-year teacher preparation programs, allowing graduates to pursue a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and further their career prospects.
Licensure and Accreditation
- The Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Associate Licensure is available for students who complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education.
- The program may be accredited by organizations such as the Ohio Department of Education or the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Read also: Empowering Educators for Inclusive Learning
tags: #aas #early #childhood #education #curriculum
