ECD Course Schedule and Dates

This course covers the development of children from birth to age 8. This is accomplished by reviewing prominent theories of early childhood development, outlining developmental milestones of typically developing children aged 0 to 8, talking about individual and contextual factors that influence these milestones, and reviewing methods for studying the development of young children.

This course is designed to explore the intersection of educational psychology principles with issues of social justice and diversity in educational settings. This course delves into the psychological aspects of learning and development, understanding the influence of individual differences, and critically examining the impact of socio-cultural factors on educational outcomes. Students will explore theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and practical applications to promote inclusive and equitable learning environments.

This course explores the field of cognition and brain development in young children. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates education, neuroscience, and psychology, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how cognitive processes emerge and evolve during the critical early years of childhood. This course emphasizes theories and research related to cognition and brain development, the practical implications of work in this field, and how information on cognition and the brain can inform caregiving practices in early childhood settings.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of language and literacy development in young children (ages 0 to 8). Key language development milestones in infancy, toddlerhood, preschool, kindergarten, and the early elementary grades will be studied. Students will gain an understanding of the processes involved in language acquisition, literacy development (reading and writing), and the reciprocal relationship between language, reading, and writing. Further, contextual factors that promote or hinder development will also be explored, and students will learn to create effective literacy-rich environments and develop strategies to support diverse learners in their language and literacy growth.

This course presents a developmental, relationship-based, child-centered approach to the guidance and discipline of young children, including children with disabilities. Specifically, we will discuss influential theories, effective guidance methods for early education teachers and other professionals working with children, and communication with parents. The influence of ACES, trauma, and stress in the lives of children and trauma informed care strategies will also be addressed. Emphasis on facilitating children's social and emotional development will be woven throughout.

This course is designed to help you gain a better understanding of designing and implementing an integrated curriculum in early education. Early childhood education refers to the education and care of children aged birth through eight. In this course we will be discussing how to plan appropriate educational programs for children ages 3-8. Specifically, in this course we will focus on ways to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities, understand and practice the teacher's role in facilitating learning through play, and coordinate, sequence, and evaluate curricula. Emphasis will be placed on active exploration and learning.

The purpose of this course is to understand the special education system in the State of California for children aged 3-8 in addition to how to assess both typically and atypically developing children in early education classrooms (PK through grade 3). For special education, this course will focus on issues related to policy/legislation, identification, characteristics, inclusion, the role of family, IEPs, and creating classroom adaptations for children. For assessment, students will develop essential skills in analyzing assessment data to identify strengths, areas of improvement, and intervention for individuals with diverse learning needs. These topics will be considered through an ethical and cultural lens, ensuring that students are equipped to analyze and utilize data in a fair and unbiased manner. Finally, this course will address working in collaboration with other professionals to best serve children in educational settings.

This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills to engage in action research within their teaching environments. Action research allows educators to actively investigate, reflect upon, and improve their teaching practices. Students will learn how to identify educational challenges, design research questions, collect and analyze data, and implement meaningful changes in their classrooms.