Child Development

CD 201 Introduction of Early Childhood Education 3 hours
Prerequisite: Concurrent Enrollment in CD 240;

An introduction and overview of the field of early childhood education with an emphasis on historical influences, developmental theory, parenting perspectives, and the educational needs of young children from birth to age eight, including children with special needs.

CD 213 nfant/Toddler: Care/Education 3 hours
Prerequisite: CD 201; 240 or equivalent experience

Review the growth and development of infants to three years old. Study current research , resources, and methods of care and education for children in this age group. Guided observation in infant/toddler program required.

CD/ECE 223 Young Child Guidance and Parent Advocacy 3 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 240, or equivalent experience

Psychological study and analysis of preschool children; special study of personality factors in children is explained, with laboratory experience in a child care center. Emphasis is on guidance strategies for preschool children, with axploration of a wide variety of issues in relation to parenting. Topics include the development of parent-child bond, parenthood and personal growth, child-rearing practices, child-family dynamics, and special needs children and parenting. Field experience required.

CD 240 Developmental Psychology 3 hours
Prerequisite: PSY 205

An overview of human development and factors that influence development. Course covers physical‚ intellectual‚ social and emotional development from infancy through adolescence.

BIO141 Nutrition through the Life Cycle 3 hours
Prerequisites: MTH 099; BIO 139 strongly recommended

Factors affecting the health and nutrition needs of the young child; application of basic principles of nutrition, food handling and meal planning to the feeding of children in day care and home situations.

CD 299 Pre-Professional Practicum 2-6 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 213, 223, 240, 326, 333, EDU 205 or permission of instructor

Practicum experience in a child care center with direct involvement in all aspects of administering the center.Culminating project for students in the A.A. Child Development Program. Seminar required.

CD/ECE 333 Math/Science Methods For Early Childhood 3 hours
Prerequisites: EDU 205,CD 201, 213, 223, 240, 350

Emphasis is on curriculum and methods for preschool including those of the exceptional learner. Developmentally appropriate lesson planning, anti-biased teaching strategies and daily scheduling are emphasized. Field experience required.

CD/ECE 326 Administration of Developmental Centers 3 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 213, 240, 350, 333, 375, BIO 141

Course covers establishment and operation of a child care center, and concentrates on State of Michigan licensing rules. Required field experience.

CD/ECE 350 Play Theory and Aesthetics 3 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 213, 240

Explore and understand theories of play, assessment, and intervention. An analysis and examination of creativity among young children will be investigated. The aesthetics domain (art, music, and drama) will be explored and methods for presentation to young children (including special needs) will be introduced.

CD/ECE 375 Literacy Methods for Early Childhood Education 3 hours
Prerequisites: EDU 205,CD 201, 213, 223 240, 350

Emphasis placed on research which examines the language and literacy skills of young children.Methodology for developing listening, oral language, writing, and reading skills for young children and young children with special needs will be demonstrated and practiced. Field experience required.

CD/ECE 399 Child Development Practicum 5-10 hours
Prerequisites: EDU 205; CD 201, 213, 223, 240, 326, 333, 350, 375; SED 250 or permission of instructor

Supervised experience in a childcare center with direct involvement in all aspects of teaching and administering the center. This is the culminating project for students in the B.A. child development program. Seminar required.

CD 433 Young Child Assessment 3 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 213, 233, 240, 333, 350; EDU 205; SED 250

Study of methods and procedures used to assess the development and progress of young children. Strategies from behavior observation to standardized testing will be analyzed to support developmentally appropriate practice.

CD/ECE 456 Language Development and Disorders 3 hours
Prerequisite: CD 201, 213, 223, 240, , 333, 350, 375; SED 250

Relates relationship of language development and psycholinguistics to the child’s motor, emotional and cognitive development. Special reference to the educational process and difficulties of learning disabled children. Focus on teaching strategies and multimedia approaches. Guided observation required.

CD/ECE 496 Senior Seminar 3 hours
Prerequisites: Senior status, child development; early childhood education minor, permission of the instructor; ENG 312

Research, analysis and synthesis of data examining a selected problem in child development with a seminar presentation.

CD/ECE 499 Student Teaching: Preschool 6 hours
Prerequisites: Admission to student teaching; All methods courses and passing of all applicable State exams

Observation and guided professional laboratory experience in public or private school classrooms at the preschool level. Seminar required.

EDU 205 Children’s Literature 3 hours
Prerequisites: CD 201, 240; ENG 108

Interpretive and critical study of literature for children and adolescents is provided. An historical and categorical survey of children’s books, stressing significance in classrooms and the home, is outlined.

SED 250 Education of the Exceptional Learner 3 hours
Prerequisites: None

This course provides an overview of the legislative rules and policies for children and youth with exceptional needs, including those with disabilities, the gifted and talented, and those with cultural and linguistic differences. Awareness of the characteristics of exceptional students and their relationship to teaching methodologies in the least restrictive environment is developed, along with concepts of inclusion. Observation field experience in special settings that service exceptional children is mandatory.

A. General Education Requirements

B. Required Major Courses
CD 201       Introduction of Early Childhood Education
CD 240       Developmental Psychology
CD 213       Infant/Toddler: Care and Education
EDU 205     Children’s Literature
BIO 141      Nutrition through the Life Cycle
SED 250     Education of the Exceptional Learner
CD 223       Young Child Guidance and Parent Advocacy
CD 350       Play Theory and Aesthetics
CD 333       Math/Science Methods
CD 375       Literacy Methods for Early Childhood Education
CD 326       Administration of Developmental Centers
CD 433       Young Child Assessment
CD 496       Senior Seminar
CD 399       Child Development Practicum

C. Elective
CD 456       Language Development and Disorders

D. Minor
A minor is required.

A. General Education Requirements

B. Required Major Courses
CD 201 Introduction of Early Childhood Education
CD 240 Developmental Psychology
CD 213 Infant/Toddler: Care and Education
CD 223 Young Child Guidance/Perspectives on Parenting
EDU 205 Children's Literature
BIO 141 Nutrition through the Life Cycle
SED 250 Education of the Exceptional Learner
CD 299 Early Childhood Practicum
CD 350 Play Theory and Aesthetics
CD 333 Math/Science Methods
CD 375 Literacy Methods for Early Childhood Education
CD 433 Young Child Assessment
CD 326 Administration of Developmental Centers
CD 299 Child Development Practicum

C. Electives
After taking the specified major courses and fulfilling the general education requirements, you may elect other courses to reach the minimum of 64 credit hours.

The Early Childhood Education minor (ZA endorsement) program prepares Elementary teacher certification students for the specialty endorsement to work with children ages birth through age 8, grades K-3. You must apply separately for the Elementary Level Teacher Certification Program in the Education Department, and may elect to add the Early Childhood Education minor alongside your teaching major. The Early Childhood Education minor program has a specific set of required courses in addition to the teacher certification courses. Students in the Teacher Certification Program are required to maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA. Please see the Teacher Certification Program section of the catalog, the Teacher Certification Program Student Handbook, and an advisor in the Education Department for current information.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) minor is done in conjunction with the Teacher Certification Program, along with a major leading to Elementary Level teacher certification (Language Arts, Integrated Science, Math, or Social Studies). The successful graduate will qualify for the endorsement in Early Childhood Education being added to an Elementary Level (K-8) teaching certificate. This added endorsement recognizes the graduate as a specialist for Kindergarten and primary level teaching in elementary schools.

A. General Education Requirements

B. Required Major Courses - Certifiable Major
Student must complete a certifiable elementary major from the list in the Teacher Certification section of this catalog, and must fulfill all Teacher Certification Program requirements. Early Childhood Education minor coursework is listed below.

C. Required Courses for Early Childhood Education Minor
EDU 205        Children’s Literature
ECE 223        Young Child Guidance and Parent Advocacy
ECE 350        Play Theory and Aesthetics
ECE 333        Math/Science Methods for Early Childhood
ECE 375        Literacy Methods for Early Childhoo Education
ECE 433        Young Child Assessment
ECE 456        Language Development and Disorders
ECE 499        Student Teaching: Preschool

D. Early Childhood Electives
(Select minimum of one course)
ECE 326        Administration of Developmental Centers

                   -OR-
BIO 141         Nutrition through the Life Cycle

E. Required Elementary Level Professional Education Courses:***
EDU 203        The Teaching Profession
EDU 240        Developmental Psychology
EDU 241        Educational Psychology
EDU 275        Foundations of American Education
SED 250        Education of the Exceptional Learner
EDU 324        Principles of Classroom Management
EDU 330        Technology in the Classroom
EDU 344***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Mathematics
EDU 348        Teaching Writing and Speaking in the Elementary and Secondary Classroom
EDU 354***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Social Studies
EDU 364A***  Methods in Elementary Reading and Other Language Arts
EDU 364B***  Methods in Elementary Reading: Practicum
EDU 374***    Methods for Teaching Elementary School Science
EDU 499        Student Teaching
***Generally offered once per academic year

Students must also complete each field-based experience and practicum as required in Professional Education Courses. Additional courses and requirements for admission and completion may be required with changes in Divisional policies and/or State of Michigan certification rules.