Early Childhood Education

Building Partnerships in ECE Setting

Developing partnerships with families is an integral part of the ‘family-centred approach in early childhood education. This course studies various aspects of this developmentally appropriate practice by examining specific strategies for building effective partnerships such as: positive communication practices, supporting family involvement, and exploring ways to respond to the changing face of Canadian families. The increasing role of the educator within the community will also be examined.

Children with Exceptionalities

This course is designed to develop an understanding of various disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the educator’s role in planning for individual needs, while supporting the needs of the entire group in an inclusive environment. The focus is on using a team approach, with active family involvement to support the child with special needs in inclusive educational settings.

Children’s Literature

This course will study the design of literacy rich environments, including how to integrate language and literacy into all aspects of play-based program planning. Receptive and expressive language, writing and other graphical forms, as well as the reading of texts that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Early Childhood Education Foundations

This course provides students with foundational understanding of the field of Early Childhood Education. Students will be introduced to the profession, the role and responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator, as well as applicable legislation and curriculum frameworks required for working in a variety of early learning and care settings and with various age groups.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level I

This module will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this module will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating Linked In profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample resumes and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional resumes and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts. An introduction to Occupational Health and Safety is also provided with specific focus on employees’ rights and responsibilities, workplace health and safety policy and programs, hazard identification and control, and safety training options such as WHIMIS and First Aid.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level II

This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 prerequisite module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your resume and Linked In Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-plays. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.

Curriculum Development & Design Part I

This course will guide student understanding of curriculum development and design. Students will analyze and practice facilitating and evaluating children’s learning through curriculum planning and design using emergent principles, developmental theories, and play-based pedagogy based on curriculum frameworks for individual children and groups of children. Students will learn how to design environments that support positive early learning experiences through exploration both indoors and outdoors for infants and toddlers.

Curriculum Development & Design Part II

This course will guide student understanding of curriculum development and design. Students will analyze and practice facilitating and evaluating children’s learning through curriculum planning and design using emergent principles, developmental theories, and play-based pedagogy based on curriculum frameworks for individual children and groups of children. Students will learn how to design environments that support positive early learning experiences through exploration both indoors and outdoors for preschool and school age.

Digital Literacy for Professionals

This course has four units that introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. The first unit introduces you to using devices and handling information with topics on operating systems (Windows, MAC, and Linux), computer organization (folder management and naming conventions), cloud storage (including Microsoft OneDrive), types of web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari), and fundamental troubleshooting. In the second unit, you will become familiar with creating and editing information through learning about file formats (pdf, mp4, docx), productivity (including iWork and Microsoft Office Suite) and creativity (Adobe, Canva, iMovie) platforms, and basic introduction to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The third unit on communicating and collaborating will introduce you to web conferencing applications (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams), mail applications (including Microsoft Outlook and Gmail,), project management tools (Trello, Asana), and time management tools (including Todoist, Outlook Calendar, and iCal), and building rapport virtually. In the final unit, you will gain an understanding on netiquette, cybersecurity, and digital wellness. After completing this course, you will have enhanced digital literacy skills as a professional in the working and learning environment.

Field Placement - ECE

Through this course, the teacher-in-training will develop skills in presenting developmentally appropriate activities to young children, on both an individual and a group basis. Students are scheduled for field practicum in community placement settings. These supervised field work hours assist the student in practicing observation and teaching skills

Fundamentals in Child Development Part I

This course examines child development from theoretical, genetic, and environmental perspectives. Students will study the cognitive/language, social, emotional, and physical domains of development, with a focus on developmental milestones from conception to toddlerhood.

Fundamentals in Child Development Part II

This course examines child development from theoretical, genetic, and environmental perspectives. Students will study the cognitive/language, social, emotional, and physical domains of development, with a focus on developmental milestones from preschool to age 8.

Health, Safety & Wellbeing for Children

This course studies the overall health of children, including nutrition, safety, and well-being from conception to school age. Students will understand their role in supporting health and safety in early learning and care environments a well as how to support well-being through inclusive, positive relationships and emotionally supportive environments. Various positive child guidance strategies that support children’s sense of wellbeing and belonging will also be explored.

Legislation, Administration & Curriculum Frameworks

This course familiarizes students with legislation governing the early childhood education sector, including administrative policies and procedures, the professional responsibilities of an ECE, as well as the roles of each tier of government. Students will also study the interconnectedness of legislation and curriculum frameworks and how to apply this concept in early learning and care settings.

Math & Science for Young Children

This course will study the design of mathematically rich environments, including how to integrate math concepts into all aspects of play-based program planning. Measuring, sorting, categorizing, one-to-one correspondence, patterning, comparing/contrasting, constructing, as well as counting and 2D and 3D shape recognition activities that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Music & Movement

This course will study the design of musically rich environments, including how to integrate music and movement concepts into all aspects of play-based program planning. Musical concepts such as melody, rhythm, and harmony will be explored as well as listening to music, creating music with voices and/or instruments, singing, dancing, and various other daily physical activities that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Observation and Assessment

This course focuses on the utilization of various observation and assessment methods and tools for documenting children’s learning and developmental progression across all domains. Students will analyze how to gather, interpret, and apply observation and assessment data to program planning. Observation and assessment of individual children and groups of children will be discussed, including information sharing and referrals with families.

Prevention, Intervention and Reporting

This course will familiarize students with the legal and professional obligations of an Early Childhood Educator regarding child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with a focus on reporting procedures and working with families. Students will study prevention measures, intervention strategies as well as reporting policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation. Students will also focus on play therapies and child-focused interventions in the early learning setting.

Professional Development

This course will introduce the student to the concept of professional development. An emphasis will be on reflective practices, the role and responsibilities of the Early Childhood Educator, as well as the importance of plans for lifelong learning. Students will engage in self-reflection activities, practice strategies to remain current in their knowledge of the field, as well as how to maintain professional behaviours and relationships with children, families, colleagues, and the community. Within this course, students will complete their first aid and CPR training, in addition to their food safety training.

Professional Wellness

This course will focus on the wellness of the Early Childhood Educator. Occupational health and safety will be studied, as well as strategies to overcome stress across all domains of the professional (physical, emotional, social, cognitive). A holistic view to professional wellness will be explored with an emphasis on self-care strategies that include health and nutrition practices. The student will understand the importance of maintaining good health to be an effective educator of young children and a productive team member.

Positive Child Guidance

This course focuses on the role of the early childhood educator in guidance, discipline, and behaviour management. It highlights theories, models and skills related to promoting healthy social and emotional development at both the individual and group level.

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, you will focus on achieving success from day one. You will develop non-technical skills to enhance your personal, academic, and career success. You will explore learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. You will also enhance your practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note- and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision-making and problem-solving skills, setting SMART goals, and maintaining a positive attitude. You will also explore techniques for managing change, stress, and conflict.