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ECH 100 Early Childhood Fundamentals (3)
Students will develop baseline knowledge and skills needed to work with young children in an Early Care and Education Program in Northeast Kansas. Students will complete a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) background check, and provide a copy of a current physical and TB test. Information covered will serve as the foundation for decisions and practices carried out by professionals in all settings and programs. Students set up their Child Developing Associate (CDA) Professional Portfolio. In addition students will identify the steps involved in preparing for National Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing. Students unable to pass the KBI inspection, the physical, and the TB test are unable to work with young children. Talk to an advisor about other career options.
ECH 101 Recognizing Child Abuse, Neglect, & Head Trauma (1)
Participants enrolled in this course will be able to define the various types of abuse and neglect, and identify signs and symptoms of the different types of abuse and neglect. Participants will also learn to identify the signs and symptoms of head trauma. This course is specifically geared toward child care providers in the state of Kansas. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
ECH 102 Understanding Multiple Intelligences and Children's Learning Styles (1)
This course will focus on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and how different learning styles are affected by the environment, physiology, processing, emotions, and social choices. Practical information will be given on how to create educational environments by applying activities that use different learning styles. Students will also examine their own personal teaching style as applied to teaching multiple intelligences to a variety of students. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
ECH 104 Early Childhood Curriculum Planning (3)
Prerequisite: Instructor Permission
Students will discover what professionals need to know and be able to do to provide quality programming for young children. Using the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Childcare licensing regulations, the Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS), and research based curriculums, students will learn what a quality curriculum looks like and how to achieve it. The course will use a strengths based model that defines developmentally appropriate practices for young children and the role of the curriculum.
ECH 105 Early Childhood Cultural Competency (1)
This course will examine cultural competency when working with children and families. The course will focus on cultural norms, values, codes of conduct, traditions, and child rearing practices of ethnic, cultural, and other groups served by social programs. The course will also consider how racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination can affect individual and family development and functioning. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussion boards and assignments.
ECH 106 Understanding Children's Temperament (1)
This course provides an overview of temperament traits and the variety of influences on temperament styles. The course will examine challenging temperaments, such as flexible, fearful, and feisty, and will include personal assessment as well as evaluation of children. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussion boards and assignments.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 107 Supporting Children's Learning Through Play (1)
This course will examine the nature and characteristics of play and why play is important in a child’s development. The course will cover the development domains and milestones that affect children’s learning through play, as well as the social and cognitive stages of play and the behavior children exhibit in those stages. The course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 108 Childhood Obesity and Good Nutrition (1)
This course will examine the common reasons for childhood obesity and the complications of being overweight or obese. The course will focus on the new food pyramid, MyPlate, and will look at ways to encourage healthy eating habits and ways to integrate learning activities about healthy eating into daily routines. The course will also cover movement activities that encourage and support development and learning in children, as well as ways to share information on healthy eating and active living with parents and families. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 109 Bullying Prevention and Response (1)
This course will examine types of bullying and consequences for bullying behaviors. The course will cover the dynamics of bullying behaviors and the roles of targets, bullies, and witnesses. Emphasis will be placed on intervention strategies for dealing with bullying behaviors, as well as strategies to prevent bullying behaviors. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 110 Early Childhood Credential Portfolio I (3)
Prerequisite: ECH 100
Students will acquire the skills and knowledge associated with safe, healthy learning environments for infants, toddlers and/or preschoolers; which includes recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect and developing a childcare food program approved menu. Students will develop written lesson plans including learning experiences for science/sensory, language and literacy, creative arts, fine motor, gross motor, self-concept, emotional skills regulation, social studies, and mathematics. Students will complete a child observation form, as well as collect additional record keeping forms. Student will conduct observations in an approved Early Care and Education Program in Northeast Kansas. Students will complete additional steps involved in preparing for their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
ECH 111 Caring for Children with Special Needs (1)
This course will examine child development milestones and how to recognize signs of early childhood delays. The course will cover guiding terms, as well as laws and principles regarding special needs, including common questions and answers for childcare providers. The course will focus on observation, assessment, documentation, communication with families, and resources available to families and caregivers. This course is instructor-led and interactive through discussions and assignments in course discussion boards.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 112 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3)
This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore the diversity in contemporary early childhood roles and settings, and consider your professional goals, current and future. Professional competencies, standards of practice, programs for young children, and philosophical, theoretical, and historical foundations of early childhood education will be examined. Program models as well as related issues and research will be compared and evaluated.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 115 Early Childhood Credential Portfolio II (3)
Prerequisite: ECH 110
Students will learn ways to establish positive relationships with parents and families with young children. They will develop a small Resource Guide for Families. Students will describe how they demonstrate appropriate practices. Students will complete the final steps necessary for requesting national Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentialing. Students will conduct classroom observations and complete the Direst Assessment Application. They will compile data from a family questionnaire. Students will explain the key concepts in the code of ethical conduct for Early Educators. Students will summarize their knowledge about children’s learning and the role Early Educators play in the lives of children and families.
ECH 150 Creative Experiences with Young Children (3)
This is a core requirement for the Early Childhood Program. This course is designed for early childhood classroom practitioners. Students will learn to create interesting and secure environments that encourage play, exploration and learning. Students will develop a comprehensive file of curriculum ideas and activities that promote creative expression.
ECH 160 Observing and Interacting with Young Children (3)
Prerequisites: ECH 100, ECH 110, and ECH 115
This course is designed for practitioners who work with children and families. Students will develop skills for quality observation and documentation associated with young children. Ethical considerations and confidentiality are discussed. Students will conduct an in-depth child study. Students must identify a child and set up and conduct observations. Students will also conduct structured observations targeting specific developmental areas. Students will create a professional report illustrating the developmental level of the child. The child portfolio will include completed checklists, work samples, pictures, and interviews.
ECH 180 Early Childhood Literacry and Language Development (3)
Prerequisites: 9 credit hours of Early Childhood
This course will prepare current or future early childhood teachers to enhance the early literacy outcomes of young children by improving teachers' knowledge of early literacy development. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of language development and acquisition. Students will acquire skills and knowledge in facilitating early literacy to young children, and how to involve parents and families in the process.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 182 Early Childhood CDA Renewal (3)
Prerequisites: A valid pre-school or infant/toddler child development associate (CDA) credential
This course is for students who have a current Preschool or Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and are interested in renewing their credential. Students will learn to act with specific goals in mind for all domains of children’s development. This course provides specific ideas and strategies for interacting with children in key subject areas during both child-guided and adult-guided experiences. Students will complete all of the documentation and requirements for CDA renewal.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 200 Program Planning and Development (3)
Prerequisites: ECH 100, ECH 110, and ECH 115
Students in this course will be introduced to the total range of administrative and curriculum demands in different types of early childhood education centers. The course will expose students to National, State and local Early Childhood Standards. Additional topics will include evaluating and hiring staff, program planning, and writing reports. The course will emphasize developing sound fiscal and program management skills with a focus in interpersonal relationships.
Syllabus • Locations and Class Schedule
ECH 202 Early Childhood Mentoring (3)
Prerequisites: 12 credit hours of Early Childhood
This course is for the committed Early Childhood Professional. Early Childhood Professional Ethics and Standards will be infused throughout the course. Students will reflect on their personal and professional growth and leadership skills. Understanding the role of a mentor, effective mentoring practices, and the mentor as a change agent will be explored. This course will provide individuals working in the Early Childhood field the basic foundation needed for developing mentoring relationships, especially those with apprentices.
ECH 210 Family Involvement in Education (3)
Prerequisites: ECH 100, ECH 110, and ECH 115 or equivalent
This course will provide a study of family involvement in education from an interdisciplinary approach. The course will cover history, current research, and diversity in families and will also present information, activities, and programs to enrich family-school partnerships and collaborations.
ECH 220 Principles of Inclusion (3)
Prerequisites: ECH 100, ECH 160
This course explores the barriers to and influences on inclusive education settings for young children. Topics include instructional strategies, individualized instruction, and family perceptions of inclusion, collaborative relationships among adults, classroom ecology, social policy, and cultural and linguistic diversity.
ECH 250 Early Childhood Practicum (3)
Prerequisite: Instructor Permission
This course is designed for students who are assuming teaching responsibility under guided supervision. Students must meet all state and national requirements for working in an Early Childhood facility. The purpose of the practicum is to put theory into practice. Students will spend 15 hours in classroom activities and 225 hours teaching in the Early Childhood classroom. The course will cover working with parents, classroom management, observation and assessment, values identification, trends and issues in Early Childhood, personal reflections, and educational philosophy.
