EDEC 640 (140) Caregiving and Learning: The Infant and Toddler Years (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 120 (ED 20) or equivalent. Recommended: EDU 225(ED 25) /EDEC 642 (142).
Focuses on designing high quality caregiving environments for children, birth through age 3. Through a study of developmental milestones of very young children and factors which lead to positive developmental outcomes, students evaluate and design learning environments for infants and toddlers that provide for appropriate interactions between staff and children and give consideration to curriculum and materials, health and safety, staffing and parental involvement. Class time includes two days field of experience each week.

EDEC 641 (141) Teaching and Learning: The Preschool Years (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 120 (ED 20) or equivalent. Recommended: EDU 225 (ED 25)/ EDEC 642 (142).
Focuses on the development of children ages 3 - 5 and the design of optimal learning environments for this age child. Students observe, evaluate, develop, and adapt a wide range of commercial and teacher-made materials, methodologies, and curriculum resources for classroom use, and work collaboratively with professional staff and parents of young children during weekly field experiences in a classroom serving young preschool children. Course has a field experience component which requires work with young preschool children and parents.

EDEC 642 (142) Teaching and Learning: The Early Primary Years (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 120 (ED 20) or equivalent.
Introduction to the field of early childhood education. Focus is on the development of children ages 5 - 8 and the design of learning environments, including curriculum and instruction, that will foster optimal growth and development. Course has a field experience component which requires work with kindergarten children and parents.

EDEC 746 (146) Methods and Materials for Educating Young Children with Diverse Abilities (3)
Prerequisite: EDU 120 (ED 20) or equivalent.
Examines curricula, instructional strategies, and support materials for children with diverse abilities, birth to age 8, and their families. Planning, implementation, and evaluation of instruction is emphasized. Includes a minimum of 20 hours of field experience.

EDEC 960 (160) Practicum in Teaching the Young Child (3)
Supervised application of instructional methods for the young child.
Prerequisites: EDEC 640 (140), 641 (141), 642 (142), 746 (146). Must be the last course in the early childhood sequence.