Education

This course introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, guidance techniques, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to implement developmentally appropriate environments, guidance techniques, schedules, and teaching strategies across developmental domains to support culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families in inclusive settings, and design a personal career/professional development plan.

This course covers the development of partnerships among culturally, linguistically and ability diverse families, children, schools and communities through the use of evidence-based strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and identifying benefits for establishing and supporting respectful relationships between diverse families, programs/schools, and community agencies/resources reflective of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators. Upon completion, students should be able to identify appropriate relationship building strategies between diverse families, children birth through adolescence, schools, and communities and demonstrate a variety of communication skills including appropriate use of technology to support every child.

This course includes the theories of child development, observation and assessment, milestones, and factors that influence development, from conception through approximately 36 months. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, observation and assessment of developmental sequences in approaches to play/learning, emotional/social, health/physical, language/communication and cognitive domains. Upon completion, students should be able to compare/contrast typical/atypical developmental characteristics, explain biological and environmental factors that impact development, and identify evidence-based strategies for enhancing development for children that are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse.

This course includes the theories of child development, observation and assessment, milestones, and factors that influence development, from preschool through middle childhood. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, observation and assessment of developmental sequences in approaches to play/learning, emotional/social, health/physical, language/communication and cognitive domains. Upon completion, students should be able to compare/contrast typical/atypical developmental characteristics, explain biological and environmental factors that impact development, and identify evidence-based strategies for enhancing development for children that are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse.

This course introduces evidence-based strategies to build nurturing relationships with each child by applying principles and practical techniques to facilitate developmentally appropriate guidance. Topics include designing responsive/ supportive learning environments, cultural, linguistic and socio-economic influences on behavior, appropriate expectations, the importance of communication with children/families including using technology and the use of formative assessments in establishing intentional strategies for children with unique needs. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate direct/indirect strategies to encourage social skills, self-regulation, emotional expression and positive behaviors while recognizing the relationship between children's social, emotional and cognitive development.

This course introduces developmentally supportive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive creative learning environments with attention to divergent thinking, creative problem-solving, evidence-based teaching practices, and open-ended learning materials and activities that align with the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Emphasis is placed on best practices providing process-driven culturally diverse, learning experiences in art, music, creative movement, dance, and dramatic play integrated across all domains and academic content in indoor/outdoor environments for every young child age birth through age eight. Upon completion, students should be able to observe, examine, create, adapt, and advocate for developmentally appropriate creative learning materials, experiences, and environments for children that are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse.

This course covers promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of every child. Topics include health and nutritional guidelines, common childhood illnesses, maintaining safe and healthy learning environments, health benefits of active play, recognition and reporting of abuse/neglect, and state regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to apply knowledge of NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development for health, safety, nutritional needs and safe learning environments.

This course covers the emotional/social development of young children and the varied causes, expressions, prevention methods and management strategies of challenging behaviors. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive and supportive caregiver/family/child relationships, positive emotional/social environments, developmental concerns, risk factors, and planning culturally responsive, equitable, developmentally appropriate intervention strategies. Upon completion, students should be able to identify factors that influence emotional/social development, utilize screening measures, and design positive behavioral supports for children and the environment, as well as effective teaching strategies.

This course introduces the research, benefits, goals, and ethical considerations associated with observation and formative assessment in early childhood education. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of multiple observation/assessment strategies including anecdotal records, event samples, rating scales, and portfolios to identify specific needs of individual children with diverse abilities and to create appropriate learning experiences. Upon completion, students should be able to practice responsible assessment and effectively use tools to assess the child, teacher practices and indoor and outdoor environments to enhance programming; and explain the importance of assessment partnerships with families and other professionals.

This course is an introduction to the early childhood profession. Emphasis is placed on the NAEYC Ethical Code, professional growth through involvement in professional organizations, and development of a professional portfolio. Upon completion, students should be able to identify professional resources and community partners in order to involve oneself in the early childhood field.

This course introduces students to knowledge, concepts, and best practices needed to provide developmentally appropriate, effective, inclusive, and culturally responsive educational experiences in the classroom. Topics include growth and development, learning theory, student motivation, teaching diverse learners, classroom management, inclusive environments, student-centered practices, instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, observation/assessment techniques, educational planning, reflective practice, collaboration, cultural competence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the knowledge, skills, roles, and responsibilities of an effective educator as defined by state and national professional teaching standards.

This course introduces the examination of the American educational systems and the teaching profession. Topics include the historical and philosophical influences on education, various perspectives on educational issues, and experiences in birth through grade 12 classrooms. Upon completion, students should be able to reflect on classroom observations, analyze the different educational approaches, including classical/traditional and progressive, and have knowledge of the various roles of educational systems at the federal, state and local level.

This course covers atypical patterns of child development, inclusive/diverse settings, evidenced-based educational/family plans, differentiated instruction, adaptive materials, and assistive technology. Emphasis is placed on the characteristics of exceptionalities and delays, early intervention/special education, transitions, observation, developmental screening, formative assessment of children, and collaborating with families and community partners. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize diverse abilities, describe the referral process, identify community resources, explain the importance of collaboration with families/professionals, and develop appropriate strategies/adaptations to support children in all environments with best practices as defined by laws, policies and the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development.

This course covers the development of high-quality, individualized, responsive/engaging relationships and experiences for infants, toddlers, and twos. Emphasis is placed on typical and atypical child development, working with diverse families to provide positive, supportive, and engaging early learning activities and interactions through field experiences and the application of the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate responsive curriculum planning, respectful relationships and exposure to a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences/materials that support a foundation for healthy development and growth of culturally, linguistically and ability diverse children birth to 36 months.

This course includes developmentally appropriate practices in group settings for school-age children. Emphasis is placed on principles of development, environmental planning, and positive guidance techniques and program development. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss developmental principles for culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children ages five to twelve and plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs and activities.

This course covers fundamental concepts in the content areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and social studies through investigative experiences aligned with NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Emphasis is placed on exploring fundamental concepts, scope and sequence, and teaching strategies to engage each child through play and open-ended discovery in indoor/outdoor environments. Upon completion, students should be able to understand major concepts in each content area and implement developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, equitable, and inclusive experiences for all young children.

This course is designed to focus on using content knowledge to build effective developmentally appropriate approaches that are culturally responsive, equitable, and ability diverse for young children. Topics include components of curriculum, a variety of curriculum models, authentic observation and assessment, and planning developmentally appropriate experiences and indoor/outdoor environments aligned with the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Upon completion, students should be able to understand, evaluate, and use developmentally appropriate curriculum to plan for the individual/group needs of young children.

This course introduces principles and practices essential to preparing and supporting child care administrators. Topics include program philosophy, policies and procedures, NC Child Care Law and Rules, business planning, personnel and fiscal management, and NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Supplement for Early Childhood Program Administration. Upon completion, students should be able to articulate a developmentally appropriate program philosophy, locate current state licensing regulations, analyze a business plan and examine comprehensive program policies and procedures.

This course focuses on advocacy/leadership, public relations/community outreach and program quality/evaluation for diverse early childhood programs. Topics include program evaluation/accreditation, involvement in early childhood professional organizations, leadership/mentoring, family, volunteer and community involvement and early childhood advocacy. Upon completion, students should be able to define and evaluate all components of early childhood programs, develop strategies for advocacy and integrate community into programs.

This course is designed to provide students with concepts and skills of literacy development, instructional methods/materials and assessment techniques needed to provide scientifically-based, systematic reading and writing instruction into educational practice. Topics include literacy concepts, reading and writing development, developmentally appropriate pedagogy, culturally-responsive instruction, standards-based outcomes, lesson planning, formative/summative assessment, recognizing reading difficulties, research-based interventions, authentic learning experiences, classroom implementation, and reflective practice. Upon completion, students should be able to plan, implement, assess, evaluate, and demonstrate developmentally appropriate literacy instruction aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study and other state and national standards.

This course provides evidence-based strategies for enhancing language and literacy experiences that align with NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Topics include developmental sequences for children's emergent receptive and expressive language, print concepts, appropriate observations/assessments, literacy enriched environments, quality selection of diverse literature, interactive media, and inclusive practices. Upon completion, students should be able to select, plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate language and literacy experiences for children who are culturally, linguistically and ability diverse.

This course is designed to allow students to demonstrate acquired skills in a three star (minimum) or NAEYC accredited or equivalent, quality early childhood environment. Emphasis is placed on designing, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities and environments for all children; supporting/engaging families; and modeling reflective and professional practices based on national and state guidelines. Upon completion, students should be able to apply NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development to demonstrate developmentally appropriate plans/assessments, appropriate guidance techniques and ethical/professional behaviors, including the use of appropriate technology, as indicated by assignments and onsite faculty assessments.