EDUC 251 Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Development

This course is designed to teach students how to implement and evaluate a quality child care program. Students are assigned to one child care setting where they will spend 10 hours per week, for a total of 120 Hours in the practicum setting. Students meet at the college every week for two hours to discuss lecture topics and classroom experiences, or to meet individually with the instructor.

Credits

5

Prerequisite

EDUC 151

Hours Weekly

1 hour lecture, 4 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Define one’s philosophy and establish goals for an early childhood program.
2. 2. Organize and manage a developmentally appropriate classroom for young children on the
   level of a senior staff member.
3. 3. Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum on the level
   of a senior staff member.
4. 4. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lessons in a variety of curriculum areas.
5. 5. Write two weekly lesson plans.
6. 6. Assess, record, and plan for the progress of an individual child in an early childhood
   program.
7. 7. Plan and oversee one 8-hour day as senior staff/lead teacher in an early childhood
   classroom.
8. 8. Work with or supervise staff to maintain high standards for the classroom and individual
   children.
9. 9. Plan and implement two opportunities for parental involvement/education in an early
   childhood program.
10. 10. Discuss and implement a variety of strategies for classroom management on the level of
    senior staff
11. 11. Function in a professional manner with young children and child care center staff.
12. 12. Identify own strengths and challenges in working with children and use structured activities
    to increase professional growth in an early childhood setting.
13. 13. Participate in one professional activity in the larger early childhood community.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Define one’s philosophy and establish goals for an early childhood program.
2. 2. Organize and manage a developmentally appropriate classroom for young children on the
   level of a senior staff member.
3. 3. Plan and implement a developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum on the level
   of a senior staff member.
4. 4. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lessons in a variety of curriculum areas.
5. 5. Write two weekly lesson plans.
6. 6. Assess, record, and plan for the progress of an individual child in an early childhood
   program.
7. 7. Plan and oversee one 8-hour day as senior staff/lead teacher in an early childhood
   classroom.
8. 8. Work with or supervise staff to maintain high standards for the classroom and individual
   children.
9. 9. Plan and implement two opportunities for parental involvement/education in an early
   childhood program.
10. 10. Discuss and implement a variety of strategies for classroom management on the level of
    senior staff
11. 11. Function in a professional manner with young children and child care center staff.
12. 12. Identify own strengths and challenges in working with children and use structured activities
    to increase professional growth in an early childhood setting.
13. 13. Participate in one professional activity in the larger early childhood community.