Course Descriptions

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.