Early Childhood Education

In the Early Childhood Education program, you will develop knowledge, skills, and experience to help you work effectively with children and families. These are based on industry skill standards and the five areas of professional competency in Vermont: child development, family and community, teaching and learning, health and safety, professionalism and program organization.

Program Outcomes

Successful graduates will be able to:
• explain theories, concepts and principles connected to the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of children;
• model effective communication, observation and reflection practices with children and their families;
• describe practices and adaptations used in child care or school settings that respect diversity and promote the inclusion of children who have special needs or different learning styles;
• demonstrate a working knowledge of administrative practices such as budgeting, leadership, supervisory and evaluative practices in early childhood education programs;
• articulate a personal philosophy of early care and education;
• evaluate and prepare curriculum and program activities consistent with current research on early childhood learning theory and models;
• maintain a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment for children;
• demonstrate academic skills required of all CCV graduates including competency in critical thinking, writing, information literacy, oral communication, and quantitative reasoning;
• identify career and transfer options and assume a professional role in the workplace.

Program Requirements '09-'10

EDU-1030 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education or
EDU-2010 - Foundations of Education
EDU-2110 - Introduction to Exceptional Populations
PSY-2010 - Child Development*
COM-1015 - Communication in the Early Childhood Education Workplace or
COM-1020 - Interpersonal & Small Group Communication*
Choose any 3-credit EDU, PSY, or SOC course**
Choose any 3-credit EDU, PSY, or SOC course**
Choose any 3-credit EDU, PSY, or SOC course**
EDU-2860 - Community &Work Experience
Electives – 9 Credits

**Choose courses based on five areas of professional competency for early childhood educators in Vermont including: Child Development, Family & Community, Teaching & Learning, Health & Safety, and Professionalism & Program Organization.

General Education Requirements

In addition to the program-specific courses listed above, an associate's degree includes completion of general education program requirements, which together must constitute a minimum of 60 credits.

*You may use a course to meet both a program requirement and a general education requirement; however, you may not use a single course to meet two general education requirements.

Printable program description (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

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