University of Montana Western

Early Childhood Education

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Provides an overview of early childhood issues, practices and methodology. In addition, students learn about CDA functional areas, indicators, activities, and training assessment steps. This course is articulated through Tech Prep.

Explores the development appropriate environment and its effects on the learner in the physical, cognitive, and social domains. It also deals with planning for learning: units, scheduling, transitions, lessons planning, children’s safety, nutrition and health.

Focuses on developing skills in using positive guidance, establishing a pro-social environment and implementing lessons, which enhance self-concept, and developing children’s pro-social skills.

Introduction of benefits, barriers, foundations, and techniques for encouraging parent-teacher partnerships. Students also explore family structures and dynamics, both functional and dysfunctional.

Students will examine, analyze and apply research, theories, and issues concerning basic biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial developmental stages from conception through childhood and adolescence.

 Focus will be on curriculum content and methods in areas of physical activity and physical education, literacy and language, and social studies.  Students will develop relevant and meaningful curriculum for young children with an emphasis on assessment and providing for the unique needs of each child.  Implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and projects for young children which include physical activity and education, literacy and language, and social studies.  Pre-requisites: ED 144, 145, 240, 241, 250, 251

Focus will be on curriculum content and methods in the areas of mathematics, science, and the arts.  Students will develop relevant and meaningful curriculum for young children with an emphasis on assessment and providing for the unique needs of each child.  Implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and projects for young children which include science, mathematics and the arts.

 Pre-requisites : ED 144, 145, 240, 241, 250, 251, 320, 321

Introduction to the early childhood profession including awareness of value issues and ethical issues in working with children and their families: legal issues, issues of salary and status, staff relations and the importance of becoming an advocate for upgrading the profession and improving the services for children. Students also identify their own personal early childhood philosophy.

 Pre-requisites : ED 142, 143, 144, 145, 240, 241, 242,243,250, 251, 320, 321, 324, & 325

Early Childhood Specialty Courses

(courses unique to the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood degree)

ED 326 Infant/Toddler Development and Group Care (4)

Provides a basic developmental foundation for the student.  Examine research, theories, issues, developmental stages and the application of these in relationship to the child from birth to 3 years.

ED 341 Exceptional Learner (3)

This course is an introduction to learners with a range of special needs including disabilities, at-risk, gifted and culturally different.  Includes current laws and regulations, identification, services, inclusion, assessment, curriculum, and behavior management issues in the field of special education and as related to general education and special education teachers.  A field experience is required.  Assessment involves readings, class discussions, papers presentations and a field experience report.  This is one of the Professional Education courses offered by the Education Department

ED 346 Early Literacy (3)

Examines language and literacy research, including second language acquisition, bilingualism, and sociopolitical contexts of major language groups. Students critique a variety of curriculum models and strategies based upon research, developmental appropriateness, and National and State standards. Based upon these finding, students will design and implement high-quality, meaningful, research-based language and literacy experiences and environments in early childhood settings.  Pre-requisites ED 320,321,324,325

ED 348 Math and Science for Early Childhood (3)

Focus on developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum, methods, and assessment in early childhood mathematics and science. Examine the integration of technology, state and national standards, and key concepts and skills into science and math curriculum. Develop high quality, meaningful science and math experiences, which focus on hands-on exploration and investigation of meaningful content.  Pre-requisites ED 320, 321, 324, 325

ED 352 Enhancing Physical Skills in Early Childhood (1)

Examines high quality, meaningful physical activity and physical education experiences across a developmental continuum, including discussions of cultural differences and gender expectations.  Pre-requisites ED 320,321,324,325

ED 354 Fostering Social Competence in the Early Years (3)

The course will examine the development, components, and influences of social competence in the early years and explore common social difficulties. Students will develop and implement plans to enhance social competence through examining the contexts for social development, utilizing effective teaching strategies and practices, and strengthening specific components found to relate to social competence. 

Pre-requisites ED 240, 241

ED 421 Creativity and the Young Child: Exploring Reggio Emilia and the Project Approach (3)

Develop and implement methodologies from Reggio and the project approach.  Use documentation to develop curriculum, communication with parents, analyze children’s growth and celebrate children’s learning.  Research and critically analyze a self-chosen topic related to Reggio or the project approach. 

ED 422 Family, Communities, Culture (3)

Examines characteristics, research, and theories on families and communities including socioeconomic conditions, family structures, relationships, stresses, supports, home language, cultural values, ethnicity, community resources, cohesiveness, and organization influences.

ED 424 Early Childhood Assessment and Outcomes (3)

Examines the goals, benefits, limitations, characteristics, and uses of assessment for young children, families, staff, and programs. Explore the relationship between assessment and outcomes examine and critique different assessment tools and strategies develop and implement assessment plans and practice skills in collaboration to form assessment partnerships.  Pre-requisites ED 251 

ED 455 Child Development Theories and Research (3)

In-depth examination of theories and current research relating to child development from pre-natal to age eight.

 Pre-requisite: ED 250

ED 457 Coaching and Mentoring Adults (3)

Examines adult learning theory, supervisory and mentoring models, adult development, stages in teacher development, and effective mentoring and coaching skills. Students will practice mentoring skills including relationship building; observation and conferencing; assessing early childhood skills, knowledge, and dispositions; and planning and implementing effective training sessions.

ED 496 Early Childhood Practicum (6)

Provides students with a supervised field experience in the area of their emphasis.  The practicum will be based upon an individualized training plan, which outlines goals and activities for the practicum.

Additional Early Childhood Courses

ED 292 Introduction to Business for Early Childhood (3)

(part of the EC Certificate)

This course introduces best business practices for home and center-based early childhood programs.  Students will draft policy statements, contracts, and financial projections, demonstrate record keeping strategies, anticipate employment and income tax obligations, plan marketing activities, and prepare a simple business plan or a Montana Best Beginnings Provider Grant application. Students will research state, federal and private programs for improving childcare income and expanding early childhood businesses.

ED 491 Health, Safety and Nutrition in Early Childhood (3)

(can be used for the Associate and/or Bachelor degrees)

Examine health and safety issues in early childhood settings, including protection of children from injury, infection and contagious illness as well as promotion of their healthy development through policy development and implementation, good nutrition and feeding practices, appropriate toileting and diapering practices and recognition and reporting of abuse and neglect.

ED 391 Creative Development for Young Children (3)

(can be used for the Associate and/or Bachelor degrees)

This course will focus on the creative development of young children in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts.  The elements in each creative arts area will be explored in depth as components of facilitating the learning of theses elements by young children.  A national perspective will be reviewed through the nation standards for art education.  Students will design and implement activities for children that promote their learning of elements in the creative arts.  Connection to the national standards and state guidelines will be part of these activities.