Course Search Results

  • 3.00 Credits

    This course provides an introduction to the field of school-age care. Students explore professional expectations for the field, techniques for programming, teaching and working with school-age children and their families in out-of-school environments. Ten hours of field observation in an after-school/out-of-school setting is required. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. This course is aligned with competencies required for the PA School Age Professional Credential.
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course provides direct experience with children through supervised field placement in an early childhood setting. Students develop and apply skills in observation, interaction, empathy and acting in a professional manner. Students meet in a weekly seminar in addition to a 45-hour field placement where they interact with children, professionals in the field and often parents. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. Prerequisite:    ECD 210 or permission of instructor Corequisite:    ECD 131 
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course provides an in-depth experience with reflective supervision, a critical component of working with young children. Taken in conjunction with ECD 130P Practicum: Infant and Toddler, students engage in extensive and ongoing written and oral reflection activities related to their practicum experiences. Students examine their own life experiences, attitudes, biases, interactions and problem-solving strategies as they develop the skills of self-awareness and responsive action. Group and individual coaching are included. Students are also guided in the preparation of their application for the Pennsylvania Family Associate in Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E). Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. Co-registration in an infant/toddler practicum is required, based on the student's course of study. Prerequisite:    ECD 210, or permission of instructor. Corequisite:    ECD 130P 
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course examines effective methods for observing, assessing and documenting young children's behavior for the purpose of planning developmentally appropriate curriculum, activities, environments and interactions. Students meet in a weekly seminar and obtain direct experience in observing and assessing children through a 45-hour supervised field experience in an early childhood setting, school, agency or therapeutic setting. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. Prerequisite:    ECD 101   
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course is for students seeking an understanding of children with special needs. Special education past, present and future is examined. Included are topics related to working with children with sensory, behavioral, physical, language, cognitive and learning differences. The content of this course covers definitions, classifications, causes, incidence, approaches to treatment, social implications, attitudes, diversity, perceptions and professionalism. A weekly field observation in early childhood programs, schools, agencies or therapeutic setting is required. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance.
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course introduces the growing field of infant and early childhood mental health (I/ECMH). It provides an in-depth examination of the theories, practices and structures which specifically support the positive social and emotional development of young children, from birth to age eight. Integrating theory into interactions with young children and their families to promote healthy relationships is a focus of the course. Ethical considerations and career opportunities are also discussed. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. A weekly field observation in infant/toddler and/or early childhood programs is required, based on the student's course of study. Corequisite:    ECD 103 or permission of instructor
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course prepares students to intentionally support children's social and emotional development/mental health in childcare, school, recreational, or therapeutic environments using evidence-based techniques and practices. Topics include addressing challenging behaviors across various age groups, promoting resilience through play and family-centered, relationship-based strategies, and using observation and assessment data to create prosocial learning opportunities. Students explore strategies in working with groups, the use of games and activities for learning and assessment, collaboration with family and other professionals and clinical observation skills. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. A weekly field observation in programs serving children birth to 36 months or preschoolers; or schools; agencies or other therapeutic setting is required based on the student's specific course of study. Prerequisite:    ECD 209 or permission of instructor Corequisite:    ECD 202 or permission of instructor
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course provides a study of family relations in our society. Emphasis is on family values and expectations, as well as other social issues and how they influence the growth and development of the child. Included are issues of professionalism in dealing with diverse families, poverty, families in crisis, divorce, working parents, single parenting, ethnic, cultural and lifestyle differences, illness and death and the role of siblings and other relatives.
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course provides an overview of language and literacy development in young children, birth to age 9. The relationship between oral and written language is investigated. Students examine and evaluate a wide variety of quality literature that can be used to facilitate children's emerging language and literacy skills. Developmentally appropriate strategies that address the PA Early Learning Standards for language and literacy, the role of teachers and parents in promoting communication, and early literacy and in creating print-rich environments are explored. A weekly field observation in early childhood programs, schools, agencies or therapeutic setting is required. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. Prerequisite:    ECD 101   
  • 3.00 Credits

    This course examines strategies and methods for preparing integrated curricula that facilitate learning and provide meaningful connections for young children. Students examine early childhood curriculum models and utilize the PA Early Learning Standards to plan, create and assess developmentally appropriate environments and experiences that include children of various ages, cultures and abilities. Using play, literacy and the arts as a foundation, emergent studies in mathematics, social studies, science and computers in the classroom are explored. A weekly field observation in early childhood programs, schools, agencies or therapeutic setting is required. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance. Prerequisite:    ECD 101 or permission of instructor