3.00 Credits
This course will develop students' understanding of the conceptual structure of Early Childhood Social Studies Standards programs for children (pre-natal to 8 year old learners.) These Social Studies' national and state learning standards will emerge through the holistic approach to instruction of history, time continuity and change, geography, culture, civics, government, and individual development and identity, science, technology and society, authority, economics, interactions between people and their environmental and global connections. Students will explore the implications of these understandings for formulating instruction and assessment activities in these content areas that are appropriate to pre-natal to 8 year old learners. Special emphasis will be placed on instructional approaches that actively engage young learners in concept formation, skill introduction and development, values, as well as individual performance assessment. Prerequisite: None.