Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

 (ECE 1)

Dr. Phil Freneau 465-2334

office hours: see home page

www.redwoods.edu/delnorte/coursenotes/freneau

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Course Description:

In a field where relationships are key, an examination of the principles of developmentally appropriate learning environments and constructive adult-child interactions, developing teaching strategies that support physical, social, and intellectual development for all children. This course includes a review of the historical roots of early childhood programs and the evolution of the practices promoting advocacy, professional ethics and identity.

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this class, the student will:

1. Interpret best and promising teaching and care practices as defined within the field of early care and education including a historic overview, range of delivery systems, program philosophies, and ethical standards.

2.  Assess early childhood settings, curriculum, and teaching strategies utilizing indicators of quality early childhood practice that support all children including those with diverse characteristics.

3.  Examine the value of play as a vehicle for developing skills, knowledge, dispositions, and strengthening relationships among young children.

4.  Examine a variety of guidance and interaction strategies to increase children’s social

competence and promote a caring classroom community.

College of the Redwoods is a learning community. All of the members of this community are actively involved in the learning process. We can all benefit from this learning experience by adopting the following guidelines for success.

*Learning is an adventure. Be an active participant in the learning process. Learning will be fun, scary and exhilarating.

*You are responsible for your own education. Come to class prepared with appropriate materials and preparation to maximize your learning. I am here as a catalyst to stimulate your learning.

*Be an active participant in both large and small group discussions. We all have life experiences that will help others to learn about children, their families and the early childhood education field. Sharing that information will help your own learning and that of your peers.

Learning takes place best in an atmosphere of collaboration. As a result, communication among all of us is crucial for our learning. Disagreement is welcome if the disagreement is expressed as a differing of ideas rather than a rejection of the person proposing an idea.

*Respect all members of the class. When class members, the instructor or guests are talking, please give them your full attention. Talking with your neighbor during class is disruptive. Read and follow the "Student Code of Conduct Standards" in the College of the Redwoods catalog. I assume you have agreed to abide by these standards since you are enrolled in classes at CR.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Field Observation Experience/Class Journal

(10% of grade = 10points)

You will be observing the environment, curriculum and teacher-child interactions. Your involvement with children may increase as your knowledge and skills increase.

You must complete 10 three-hour sessions during the semester. You are responsible for maintaining a "time card" to verify your work hours. These may be included with your weekly journal.

You will have assignments and journal entries throughout the semester related to your field experience.

You must keep a weekly journal related to your field observation experience (10 journal entries). In some cases you will be asked to write on specific topics, such as an observation. Other times you will be responding to what has happened during your field observation. Your journals will be reviewed weekly as part of your class participation grade. Feel free to use your journal to ask me questions or gives suggestions. Journal entries must reflect thought and demonstrate an integration of class material into your own experiences.

Class Participation (Question of the day)

(30% of grade = 30 points)

Your active participation in the class is an important part of the learning process for all of us. This includes (but is not limited to) participation in class discussions and activities, involvement in late and small group discussions and activities, regular attendance, prompt arrival to class, attendance throughout the entire class period and behavior which does not distract your peers.

Content Review (End of each section)

(40% of grade - 10 points each = 40points)

Five content review questions provide you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the concepts covered in the book and in class. You will be given one question related to the chapters covered in the text and topics explored in class since the last content review. Before you answer the content review question, you will discuss the question in a small group. (You will be assigned to groups of four or five people.) After the discussion you will be asked to write your answer to the question. Each group member will write their own answer to the question. An analytical and accurate answer will receive credit. An unacceptable answer will receive no credit. There are no second chances on content review questions. If you are not in class for the content review question, you cannot make it up at another time.

History Timeline

(5% of grade = 5 points)

You will develop a list of prominent people in the field of early childhood education. you must put them in chronological order and briefly note their contribution to the field.

Developmental Theory of Philosophical Model Paper

(10% of grade = 10 points)

Select a child development theorist or an early childhood education model to research. Write a 3-4 page paper using at least two sources besides your text. (Be sure to cite sources in a standard format.) Explain the key concepts that set the theorist or model apart from others. Discuss if the theory or practice is used today and explain why it is or is not still being used.

Article Review

(5% of grade = 5points)

Select two articles from the internet or magazines, related to a topic we have covered in class. Critically review the articles. Explain how they relate to topics discussed in class or in the text. Explain why these two articles have meaning to you. Be sure to cite sources accurately. Reviews should be 2 pages each.

ECE Professional Interview

(Extra credit)

Interview a person who is working in the ECE field as a professional (not someone working in the field until she or he finds something else to do). In your write-up of the interview, explain why the person went into the field, how she/he came to hold the job she/he now holds (was it a job she/he aspired to or one she/he evolved into)? Find out what the educational requirements were for her/his job and how she/he obtained her/his education. Discuss what she/he likes about her/his job and what she/he would change if she/he could. What advice would this person give to someone just entering the ECE field?

Rewrite Policy:

If you turn an assignment in early or on time you may re do it for a better grade. rewrites must be turned in no later than 1 week after the original due date

GRADING

Your performance on the above assignments will determine your grade in this class. Assignments should demonstrate your knowledge of course content and your ability to expand the theoretical knowledge you gain in class with the practical knowledge you gain from your field observation. All assignments should reflect critical thought.

Punctuality, neatness, grammar and spelling are additional considerations in grading. Late assignments are graded down by one full grade (i.e., B to C). Assignments are considered late if they are turned in after the close of the class meeting the day the assignment is due. Assignments are not accepted more than one week past the due date.

All assignments have a point value totaling 100 points. Your grade is derived from the total number of points you receive on these assignments.

100 - 90 points 90-100% A

89 - 80 " 80-89% B

79 - 70 " 70-79% C

69 - 60 " 60-69% D

59 & below 59%-0 F

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As you will learn in the Early Childhood Education Program, teachers must always be willing to change and adapt curriculum plans when necessary. This is true for teachers of adults as well as teachers of children. I may make changes in the syllabus throughout the semester. You will be notified of any changes in class.