Early Childhood Knowledge and Learning Center

Early learning centers support children’s social, cognitive and linguistic development. They help families access health and nutrition services, developmental screenings and job training programs.

They offer healthy meals and snacks that incorporate children’s home language and culture. They encourage outdoor play and indoor work experiences that expand on children’s natural curiosity, motor explorations and learning opportunities.

Programs

Designed for children six weeks to five years old, the curriculum promotes learning through exploration and play. The program also emphasizes social and emotional preparedness. It is based on local and international pedagogies and practices that are committed to ensuring the full inclusion of ethnically and linguistically diverse young children, with and without disabilities, in all early childhood education settings.

Students who complete the ECE program can seek employment in a wide variety of child care and education settings. These include center-based and family child care networks, as well as school-based and pre-K programs for students ages three to five.

Head Start helps families whose incomes are below the poverty line access high-quality early education and health services for their children. The Office of Head Start serves ten percent of the nation’s youngest children. NCECDTL provides professional development for Head Start and Early Head Start staff. It ensures that Head Start programs have access to high-quality training and technical assistance (TTA) that is responsive to the needs of local communities and aligned with federal requirements.

Staff

A highly skilled teaching staff, including early educators with qualifications and experience appropriate for children’s learning and development, is central to high-quality care and education. Staff members use a variety of instructional approaches and are sensitive to the differences in children’s learning styles, needs, capacities, interests, and backgrounds.

Staff work together as a team and engage in continuous improvement by reflecting on strengths and growth areas through self-assessments, observations of and feedback from colleagues and families, data collection, and the implementation of quality standards. Training opportunities are provided to promote the knowledge and skills that lead to higher quality practices.

Teachers build collaborative relationships with families that are respectful and sensitive to family composition, language and culture and connect them to community resources to support their child’s learning and development. Teachers communicate with families using a variety of strategies, such as family conferences, new-family orientations, individual conversations and written communications. They also provide program information in languages that families can understand.

Policies

The program establishes and maintains respectful relationships with children’s families that are sensitive to family composition, culture, language, and traditions. The staff understands and adheres to professional and ethical guidelines.

Staff develop a variety of strategies for supporting children and youth with disabilities and developmental delays. They use flexible learning environments and activities that incorporate Universal Design for Learning principles and include multiple forms of learning (e.g., active and quiet, individual and group, indoor and outdoor).

The staff understands that early learning and development occurs within specific social, cultural and linguistic contexts. They make decisions and adjust practices in response to the unique developmental, learning and behavioral needs of each child and in partnership with each family. They regularly reflect on their teaching practices and biases and seek guidance from supervisors or professionals in related fields. They also participate in collaborative learning communities with colleagues and other professionals. They understand that the work of high-quality ECE programs is complex and requires a broad set of competencies.

Resources

From learning to roll over and walk to developing a pincer grasp, children build fine and gross motor skills through the daily activities at an early learning center. They also gain experience with art, music, dance and drama that lays the foundation for creativity.

This page offers resources to help families build a lifelong love of reading through activities that support literacy development. It also provides tips for reading together and recommends additional online resources.

This website helps families find quality child care programs that are based on research and meet national standards. It also identifies the best practices in early learning and offers advice on how to choose the right program for your family.

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Early Childhood Education Degrees

The earliest years are critical for children. They must be academically prepared for kindergarten and beyond, but also socially and emotionally ready to grow and thrive.

Students in National’s BAECE program participate in off campus student teaching field-based experiences, 12 courses specific to early childhood education and general liberal arts courses leading up to an Associate of Science degree. Classes like Play as Pedagogy and Early Cognition help prepare students to understand child development.

Degrees

Students pursuing degrees in early education can choose from undergraduate, associate, or master’s degree programs. A bachelor’s program prepares aspiring teachers to work with children from birth through grade 2. It often includes content coursework in core subjects like language arts and math, plus education courses that examine educational methods for this age group.

The degree program may also include coursework on topics like child development and learning theory, curriculum planning, and classroom management. These classes can help students build strong planning, communication, and leadership skills for roles like teacher or childcare worker.

At the graduate level, a master’s in education is the most common option for those interested in administrative positions within the field. These higher-level degrees study issues like curriculum design and administration, and they often require the completion of a dissertation. Students who pursue these degrees are preparing to lead schools, teacher training programs, and professional organizations. They must have exceptional interpersonal communication skills and the ability to manage resources.

Coursework

As an undergraduate student in our early education program, you’ll take a variety of courses that explore the latest teaching and learning theories. You’ll also learn how to plan developmentally appropriate activities and develop strong communication skills.

During your fieldwork (also called practicum or internship), you’ll visit diverse early childhood education settings to observe and interact with children. This hands-on experience allows you to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve learned in class, and it prepares you for your future career.

We offer several different undergraduate and graduate programs in early education. These include a four-year bachelor’s degree in early education, as well as a five-year dual-degree program that combines a bachelor’s in early childhood and elementary education with a specialized master’s degree in teaching. Both programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This means you can be confident that you’re receiving a high-quality education. We’re one of only a few universities that have this accreditation.

Fieldwork

In addition to classroom learning, you will have many opportunities for hands-on fieldwork. All teacher candidates complete a minimum of 200 hours of observation and child-care-giving field experience in schools BEFORE student teaching.

The program covers theories of child development and motivation to learn for children ages 2-6 and the skills you need to develop an engaging curriculum that cultivates young minds. You will also focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment that encourages good behaviors.

Students arrange Independent Fieldwork at sites such as schools, day care centers, community organizations or religious education programs and must obtain an approved Site Host Letter to document their fieldwork experiences. This form can be downloaded here. This course is a fieldwork placement linked to EED376 Reading/Language Arts Methods and EED379 Social Studies Methods. Open only to Education majors who have matriculated in this School. 15 fieldwork hours required.

Careers

Early childhood education can lead to careers in a variety of fields. Many of these careers require a degree in child development or an equivalent program. Most preschool teachers, for example, have a bachelor’s degree and are certified to teach children in the pre-K through third grade.

Other careers requiring a degree in early education include teacher’s assistant, school counselor, and special education teacher. The salary ranges for these positions, which are usually full-time jobs, vary depending on the field and the specific duties.

Customer service representatives are responsible for responding to customer inquiries about the company’s products and services. They also perform a variety of clerical duties. The average salary for a customer service representative is $42,000 per year. A sales representative is typically paid a commission based on the total amount of revenue generated by their efforts. They are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. The average salary for a sales representative is $60,000 per year.

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Healthy Development in Early Childhood Education Chapter 6 Quizlet

Healthy development in early childhood provides the foundation for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, and lifelong health. This section introduces you to the science that links early experiences from birth (and even before) to children’s learning capacity, behaviors, and physical and mental health.

Learn about the different approaches to early childhood education including Reggio, Montessori, High Scope and the project approach.

What is the age span of early childhood?

The age span of early childhood is from birth to age 8. Experiences during this period can become physiologically imprinted and impact outcomes throughout life.

During this stage, children are exploring the world around them and developing new cognitive skills. They learn through observation, imitation, and play.

They begin to understand the concept of object permanence and can recognize faces in picture books. They also start to demonstrate initiative and guilt through imaginative play. They may develop feelings of inferiority if they do not receive positive feedback from their peers.

Physically, children are growing quickly. They are now in a transitional phase with body proportions between infant and toddler (large heads and short arms) and pre-schoolers (smaller heads and longer bodies). They continue to practice gross motor skills such as running, jumping and swinging. They also work on fine motor skills by pouring, cutting and coloring.

What is the purpose of early childhood education?

The purpose of early childhood education is to promote children’s cognitive and social development before they enter kindergarten. This may be done through a variety of activities and experiences, such as play, music, domestic play, sensory play and constructive play.

Ideally, these learning experiences will help children develop the skills they need to become confident learners who are prepared for school and life. They will also learn to be respectful and responsible members of their communities.

It’s important to note that while some ECE programs are designed for specific age groups, most offer a range of learning opportunities for children of all ages. This can include theme-based and constructivist-based models, such as those offered by High Scope or the Reggio Emilia approach. Additionally, some ECE programs are based on various educational philosophies, such as Montessori or Piagetian cognitive theory.

What is the role of the teacher in early childhood education?

During early childhood, children build their identities through play with other people. Educators act as surrogate parents and help young children learn how to interact with each other and develop friendships. They also teach them about the world around them.

They must have patience to explain concepts repeatedly and to deal with the emotional ups and downs of young children. Early childhood educators also need good planning skills to set up a safe learning environment. They also need to be creative, as they often use imagination and creativity in their teaching.

They must be able to read their students and understand that each child grows at a different pace. They also need to be able to notice the subtle clues of each student’s social growth.

What is the role of the parent in early childhood education?

The parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. They are responsible for providing a safe and positive learning environment. They also play a key role in shaping children’s cognitive, emotional and social development.

Research shows that when parents are involved in their children’s education, they have a stronger understanding of what is being taught in the classroom. This can help them to reinforce and transfer this knowledge at home.

Parents can also help to extend the learning outside of the classroom by encouraging their children to read at home, attend school events and activities and volunteer in their child’s class. It is also important to keep communication channels open between educators and parents. This can be done by using an app like HiMama that allows parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.

What is the role of the community in early childhood education?

The popular proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” sends a clear message that the community has an essential role to play in children’s growth and development. This includes parents and family members as well as the local community and schools.

Early learning settings are often children’s first communities outside of their homes and are therefore influential in how they learn about themselves and others. Children’s relationships in these communities help them to understand the value of respect, collaboration and caring for one another.

Educators work to create a community where everyone feels psychologically safe and can focus on their learning. They organize spaces and activities in ways that promote play and exploration. They provide opportunities for children to learn about their community through a variety of experiences, such as music circles and art classes.

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Early Education Theorists

Many different theories are used in early education. Understanding these allows educators to choose the teaching method that is most effective for each student.

Froebel’s play theory focuses on child-led play as the basis for physical, intellectual, social and emotional development. It also emphasizes the role of the teacher as a facilitator and collaborator.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) was one of the most influential philosophers of the 18th century and the French Enlightenment. His work touched on many topics, including the state of nature, political philosophy and education.

Rousseau was born in the independent Calvinist city-state of Geneva to Isaac Rousseau, a watchmaker, and Suzanne Bernard. His mother died only days after his birth, and he was raised mainly by his father who inculcated his children with the ideas of ancient republicanism from reading historical accounts of such figures as Plutarch. He was self-educated, and at times he was a musician and music copyist and designed a new system of musical notation. He also wrote two important philosophical works, The Social Contract and Emile. He was a lifelong advocate of freedom and equality.

Jean Piaget

Piaget’s ideas have shaped constructivist theories of learning and child-centred pedagogies. He believed that cognitive change could be accelerated by providing learners with opportunities to engage in discovery learning experiences. However, his stages of cognitive development have been questioned, particularly the formal operational stage.

His theory emphasizes that children develop their understanding of the world through a process of accommodation and assimilation, which involves constructing new mental structures known as schemata. These schemata help them solve new problems.

He also emphasized the importance of social interaction and cultural context for cognition. This was influenced by Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Urie Bronfenner’s ecological systems theory, which stresses the interplay between different environmental systems. Educators can use these theories to create enriching and supportive learning environments for their students.

Lev Vygotsky

Vygotsky’s theory was that learning was social and that the development of higher mental functions had a social origin. He believed that children have elementary cognitive abilities that they display for survival purposes, but they develop into a broader range of thought processes when they interact with more advanced members of their society.

One of his most well-known concepts was that students learn best when they collaborate with teachers or more experienced peers. This concept was later called ‘scaffolding,’ in which a teacher or more skillful peer helps the student move beyond their zone of proximal development.

He conducted a series of experiments in which he showed that children who worked with a tutor or mentor on problem-solving tasks were able to solve those problems more effectively than those who did not. He also developed a theory of learning that emphasized collaborative interactions and the importance of language.

New theories and approaches

There are many different theories of learning that impact education. Some have led to styles of teaching that are still used today. Others have become highly specialized teaching methods that require a separate accrediting system to ensure teachers adhere to the methods strictly.

One theory is based on Skinner’s operant conditioning, where a desired behaviour is followed by either positive or negative reinforcement. It also stresses extinction – when no reward is offered, eventually the behaviour will disappear.

Another popular theory is social learning, which focuses on the concept that children learn through observing others. For example, a student may see their older sibling politely asking for a snack and learn to do the same. This is a very useful philosophy for educators to consider when designing their classrooms.

Technology

Many different theories have been used to shape the learning of young children. Each one has its own unique approach but all are focused on helping children get the best possible start in life. These theories are used by parents, educators and researchers to help them create age-appropriate teaching materials. Studies have shown that high quality early education programs have a positive impact on children’s academic achievement, social skills and health.

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development encouraged discovery learning and used all the senses. His ideas helped to develop the Montessori method of education which is still in use today.

Froebel’s play theory also continues to inspire nursery settings. You can read more about her ideas on our Froebel Wiki page here. We also have a great Early Years Educational Theorists Staff Training Information Sheet which is perfect for keeping in your staff area to share with your team.

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