Course Overview:

In the Early Childhood Education online course, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities and roles of early childhood educators, covering childhood development, health, nutrition, and guidance techniques. The course emphasizes the rewards of influencing young children’s lives and prepares students for the challenges they may encounter in this field. In the second semester, students will delve deeper into professionalism, focusing on professional development, observational methods, and the history of education, with an emphasis on early childhood and school-age programs. They’ll also learn about Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and how to implement DAP strategies, as well as how to design suitable learning environments and build strong relationships with families and communities in support of their educational role.

Semester A

The Early Childhood Education course is designed to provide an overview of the expectations and roles of the early childhood educator. The course provides details about childhood development, health, nutrition, and guidance strategies to help students understand the exciting and unique opportunities that a career in early childhood education can offer. The course is intended to prepare students for challenges they may face, but to emphasize the rewards of being able to influence the life of a young child. The ability to offer support to children as they learn and grow is a point that is highlighted throughout each lesson.

Semester B

The Early Childhood Education Two course is designed to provide an overview of the professional expectations of being an early childhood educator. Throughout the course, students will learn about what it means to be a professional, including the significance of professional development in any educational role. They will review observational methods and the history of education in the United States, with a focus on early childhood and school-age programs. They will spend a significant portion of the course learning about the importance of Developmentally Appropriate Practice and how to implement DAP strategies. Designing physical, social, and temporal environments will also be a major focus of the course, as will developing relationships with families and communities to strengthen their position and knowledge.

Certification: This course prepares students for the Child Development Associate (CDA). Certification requires that students take both Early Childhood Education I and Early Childhood Education II. These courses prepare students for the pre-application phase of 120 hours of instruction in the core areas of focus. For more information on the application process, visit: https://www.cdacouncil.org/credentials/apply-for-cda/cte-high-schools