For related courses, see descriptions under Education.

ECE/ED 212
Picture Books, Literature for Young Children
This course stresses the importance of language and literature in all areas of children’s academic learning as well as literature being a source of entertainment. The course focuses on the study of genres of children’s picture books. Literature will be examined in terms of plot, setting, theme, characterization, style, point of view, illustrations, age range and design. Author-Illustrators and their backgrounds will be explored. The course will address criteria for selecting and interpreting quality books for children with different developmental needs and multicultural backgrounds. The course will examine the many dimensions of responses to literature.
Spring.
Prerequisite: Completion of CC 110.
Group: II

ECE 214
Curriculum, Environments and Program Planning for Infants and Toddlers
This course focuses on providing developmentally-appropriate curricula and environments for infants and toddlers. Students are required to participate in an off-campus field experience working with infants and toddlers.
Spring
Prerequisite: PY 216 or permission of the instructor
Group: II.

ECE/ED 215
Curriculum Methods, Management, and Program Planning and Materials for Early Childhood
The course enables students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for planning inclusive and developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children. Class meetings will include lectures, discussions and hands-on workshops focusing on a wide range of curriculum areas such as early literacy, numeracy, social studies, art, etc. addressing the learning needs of young children PreK-3. The Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks/Common Core, as well as theories of Child Development, learning styles, cognitive abilities and multiple intelligences appropriate for early childhood will be addressed. Students will participate in a placement in a preschool setting.
Fall 2011, then offered in the Spring 2013
Prerequisites: PY 216 or permission of the instructor.
Group: II.

ECE/ED 228
Recreation, Coaching, and After School Programs for Children
This course will explore historical, present, and controversial issues surrounding youth with regard to health, recreation, afterschool programs and sports. Students will examine the characteristics, behaviors and conditions necessary for the optimal health and wellness of children. Nutritional issues, recreation, sport participation, appropriate coaching practices, outdoor recreational activities and the influence of the social milieu will be explored.
Offered selectively
Prerequisite ED 102 and ECE/ED 215 or permission
Group II

ECE/ED 234
Teaching of Math and Science for Young Children
This course addresses the teaching of developmentally appropriate math and science for the PreK-2 classroom. Students examine early childhood math and science curriculums and teaching strategies. The course examines ways of connecting math and science concepts with other areas of the early-childhood curriculum. The discovery approach, inquiry, exploration, cooperative learning, experimentation, science and math vocabulary are addressed. The connections between children’s understanding of math and science and cognitive development are made. Students will be required to spend the equivalent of one hour per week in classrooms observing and assisting classroom teachers in the teaching of math and science.
Spring
Prerequisites: ED 205.
Group: II or III depending on registration, Quantitative Reasoning Course

ECE/ ED 250
Policy and Program Issues in Child Care
Examines the policy issues and program requirements for childcare programs. Dept. of Early Education and Care regulations are reviewed. Course work will include observation and assessment assignments as well as a variety of classroom supervision techniques. Advanced Early Childhood Education topics will include conducting an intake interview, implementing a behavior management policy, creating a health care policy, and policies regarding hiring and terminating employees. .
Offered selectively
Prerequisites-ED 102, PY 216,and ED 214/ 215 or permission

ECE 309
Health, Nutrition, and the Safety of Young Children:
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the basic and changing nutritional, health and safety needs of growing children. Conditions affecting children’s health, nutritional guidelines, health assessment tools and screening procedures are covered in the course. Topics such as childhood obesity, bullying, resilience, chronic and acute health conditions, the growing incidence of asthma, immunizations, child abuse and neglect, and the implementation of safety practices are discussed in relation to the latest research findings. Students will investigate current concerns related to regulations and policies as they apply to early childhood settings. A major assignment for the semester is the completion of a research paper related to children’s health, nutrition and safety.
Fall 2012,
Prerequisite PY 216 or ECE 214 or ECE/ED215 permission
Group II

ECE /ED 311
Parent, Child, Teacher, Health and Community
This capstone course provides skills designed to support a strong relationship among the child’s home, school, community and health services. It will examine the many challenges presented while working with and teaching young children. The course includes content and experiences for current and future Early Childhood Educators to develop an understanding and competence in managing and working with children, parents and adults in schools, at home and in the community. Emphasis is placed on the current research about cultural, social, racial and spiritual differences in relationship to parenting, involvement in schools, managing behavior, health care services, and volunteering in community settings. Strategies for working, supporting and teaching children and parents who come from a variety of backgrounds such as English Language Learners, adoptive families, single parent families, and/or gay and lesbian families are addressed. Responding to alternate family structures as a sensitive caregiver and professional in today’s society is stressed. A major assignment for the semester is the completion of a substantial research project that includes critically examining the theories, research methods and findings of studies in the field related to the care of young children. Emphasis will be placed on the important interaction among parents, children, community, and health providers. The standards of the NAEYC, as well as the Early Education and Care Learning Standards, and those of the Common Core will be discussed.
Fall, beginning 2013
Prerequisites: PY216 or ED102 or permission
Group II

ECE/ED 350
Child Care Administration
Familiarizes students with issues in administering an early childhood education center, and the specific skills for doing so. Topics include: startup considerations; issues in staff selection, supervision, and development of personnel policies; the role of the administrator; budget planning; strategies for parental involvement; program evaluation; promoting positive community relations; and managed growth.
Offered selectively
Prerequisites: ED 102, PY 216, ED 215, or permission of instructor.
Group: II.

ECE/ED 395
Practicum in Child Care/Early Education and Care/Student Teaching
Students gain experience in infant/toddler, preschool, school-age child care or recreation programs. Students are provided work and teaching experiences that make them eligible for professional certification through the Department of Early Education and Care. Students work at an appropriate site with supervision for a minimum of 150 hours, meet regularly with their faculty supervisor, and attend a weekly seminar during the semester. Faculty sponsors will make at least three site visits during the course of the internship to meet EEC requirements.
Fall and Spring.
Prerequisite: PY 216; or permission of instructor.
Group II