Early Childhood Education
Course Descriptions
EDC 3113 Human Growth and Development (3 hours)
A foundational course dealing with physical, mental, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of individual development from prenatal through
adolescence. Emphasis is placed on the Piagetian stages and sociocultural theory, along with an emphasis on how motor development influences
the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor development of the child. Field assignments require the observation of children from early
childhood through adolescence with an orientation to cultural diversity.
EDC 3123 Educational Psychology (3 hours)
An emphasis on psychology as it applies to teaching and learning. The course covers such topics as motivation, retention, reinforcement,
transfer, maturation, socialization, and individual differences relative to cultural and environmental influences. Pathwise Domains are
introduced. Field assignment required.
EDC 3134 Educational Foundations and Technology (4 hours)
Cultural and historical foundations of American public education, emphasizing its relationship to a diverse society. Design, production,
utilization, and evaluation of various instructional technologies (according to ISTE) are included in this course. Classroom presentation
techniques and professional development are stressed. Field assignment is required.
EDC 4334 Math Structures for Early Childhood Education (4 hours)
A presentation of mathematics in a format that prepares teachers of early childhood mathematics. Emphasis is on the use of manipulations
while learning math concepts. Topics include problem-solving, sets and logic, functions, the mathematical meaning and background of
arithmetic through real numbers, number theory, probability and statistics, introductory algebra, introductory geometry, geometric
constructions, congruence, similarity, measurement, and coordinate geometry. An online component is included as part of the contact time for
this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week.
BBL 3923 Biblical Ethics for Teachers (3 Hours)
A study of selected portions of the Old and New Testaments with major emphases on the application of biblical principles to everyday living
and the profession of teaching.
EDC 3243 Assessment for Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
An investigation of the principles of assessment that are of primary importance to educators of diverse populations. The course includes
relating objectives to assessment, constructing tests (for example, language assessment, designing formative and summative assessments,
content area achievement, diagnostic, interpreting and using test results (including modification strategies), and utilizing portfolios and
other means of authentic assessment. An online component is included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately two
hours of online work per week.
EDC 3222 Fine Arts for Early Childhood Education (2 hours)
An exploration of fine arts for the P-4 classroom. The course includes creating lesson plans, classroom observations, methods for
integrating fine arts into the classroom, and role-playing a creative teaching situation. An online component is included as part of the
contact time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week.
EDC 3214 Instructional Methods: Grade 1 - 4 (4 hours)
An emphasis on the application of effective teaching skills. The course includes experiences with several planning and teaching models
appropriate for students of diverse backgrounds and special needs. Social studies methods and materials are incorporated throughout the
course. An online component is included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per
week. Field and/or lab experiences required.
EDC 4413 Curriculum and Instruction: Arithmetic for Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
An overview of methods and materials for teaching arithmetic (based upon NCTM standards) with diverse students in grades P-4. Emphasis is
placed on the use of math manipulatives. An online component is included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately
two hours of online work per week. Field and lab experiences are required.
EDC 4423 Curriculum and Instruction: Reading for Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
A presentation of various models of reading instruction and the theories that support the models. A balanced overview of instruction and
assessment, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of teaching reading is provided. Included are studies of the stages of reading
development as well as an emphasis on procedures and methods for analyzing and diagnosing reading difficulties, specifically addressing
skills and strategies necessary for reading content materials. Candidates submit a comprehensive integrated unit plan. An online component is
included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week. Field and lab experiences
required.
EDC 4433 Curriculum and Instruction: Science for Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
A study of the physical and biological environment designed to help prospective early childhood teachers develop a scientific perspective on
their surroundings. Various methods of communicating scientific truth and encouraging scientific inquisitiveness are presented and practiced.
An online component is included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week. Field
and lab experience required.
EDC 4314 Curriculum and Instruction: Language Arts for Early Childhood Education (4 hours)
A course focusing on language development and its importance to learning and to the components of the language arts program, as well as how
these components support learning in all other areas of the school curriculum. Foundations for children's literature and a variety of
literary selections will be studied (Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King). Methods and materials for teaching language arts in primary
grades are presented, focusing on the four components of a language arts curriculum. An online component is included as part of the contact
time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week. A language case study is required.
EDC 3234 Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Education (4 hours)
The philosophical and historical foundations of early childhood education. The course focuses on integrated learning, including the study of
the physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, and emotional needs of young children. Also included are teaching methods, materials, equipment,
classroom management, and development of curriculum with an emphasis on the preschool experience and the K-1 classroom experience. An online
component is included as part of the contact time for this course requiring approximately two hours of online work per week. Field experience
required.
EDC 3144 Exceptional Student for Early Childhood Education (4 hours)
An orientation to the types of exceptionalities in students. An overview of the legal responsibilities and special educational support
systems necessary to provide services to these various populations is provided. The course also includes instruction on communication skills
for teachers (including verbal and non-verbal skills required for the classroom) an introduction to several models for classroom management,
in-class scenarios for immediate application of models. The models will address cultural, linguistic, and other diversity factors present in
a typical public school classroom. Field and/or lab experience required.
EDC 4510 Internship: Early Childhood Education (11 hours)
Interns are assigned to primary school(s) full-time to work under the joint supervision of an experienced classroom teacher and a university
faculty member. Prerequisites: senior standing and approval of Division of Education "Gate Three" requirements.
EDC 4511 Seminar: Early Childhood Education (1 hour)
A discussion of problems and concerns encountered during Internship, designed to bring professional theory and practice into a working
perspective. Included are topics such as classroom management, safety, legal and ethical issues affecting teaching, working with parents,
portfolio assessment, and diversity. Corequisite: EDC 4510.
