Early Childhood Education

Field and Practicum Placement

Field experience is included in the following courses:

• ECED& 105 Introduction Early Child Education
• ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships
• ECED 233 ECE Practicum 2

To successfully complete field experience in the above courses, students must complete volunteer hours in an approved early learning setting, such as: Head Start programs, public or private schools, ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) sites, Child Lab Schools, other approved classrooms.

Before beginning field placement, students must provide:

• Washington State Patrol background check
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results
• Proof of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination

To successfully complete field experience in EDUC& 205 Introduction to Education with Field Experience, students must provide:

• Washington State Patrol background check

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a 2.0 or better in all EDUC and ECED coursework to apply for the ECE degrees or certificates.

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and to use this knowledge to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth through age eight.
• Demonstrate the ability to use theory, research and foundations of education when planning and implementing Early Child Education programs.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community and the curriculum goals and content.
• Use individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and supportive relationships with children and develop personal self -control, self motivation, and positive self-esteem.
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Articulate a philosophy and rationale for decisions while continually assessing and evaluating the effects of their choices and actions on others.
•  Serve as an advocate on behalf of young children and their families, programs for young children and the working environment for early childhood educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and a commitment to professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in managing human, fiscal, and spatial resources while meeting the health and safety needs of children and adults.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Emphasis: Early Childhood Education
Total Units: 91-96

Recommended Education Electives

• ECED& 134 Family Child Care
• ECED& 138 Home Visiting & Family Engagement
• ECED& 139 Administration of Early Childhood Education
• EDUC& 136 School Age Care
• EDUC& 205 Introduction to Education with Field Experience

Recommended Distribution Electives

• MATH& 131 Math for Elementary Education 1
• CMST& 220 Public Speaking
• Natural Science with at least one lab: Physical Science: (Oceanography, Geology, Chemistry), Life Science: (Nutrition, Environmental Science, Biology)
• Social Science: U.S. History, PNW History

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and to use this knowledge to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth through age eight.
• Demonstrate the ability to use theory, research and foundations of education when planning and implementing Early Child Education programs.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community and the curriculum goals and content.
• Use individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and supportive relationships with children and develop personal self -control, self motivation, and positive self-esteem.
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Articulate a philosophy and rationale for decisions while continually assessing and evaluating the effects of their choices and actions on others.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of young children and their families, programs for young children and the working environment for early childhood educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and a commitment to professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in managing human, fiscal, and spatial resources while meeting the health and safety needs of children and adults.
• Model global awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of children.
• Examine, discuss, evaluate and critique various issues and trends in Early Childhood Education.
• Identify and explain the major historic events and theoretical perspectives of Early Childhood Education.

Degree: Associate in Arts
Emphasis: Early Childhood Education

Total Units: 91

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and to use this knowledge to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth through age eight.
• Demonstrate the ability to use theory, research and foundations of education when planning and implementing Early Child Education programs.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community and the curriculum goals and content.
•  Use individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and supportive relationships with children and develop personal self-control, self-motivation, and positive self-esteem.
•  Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Articulate a philosophy and rationale for decisions while continually assessing and evaluating the effects of their choices and actions on others.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of young children and their families, programs for young children and the working environment for early childhood educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and a commitment to professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in managing human, fiscal, and spatial resources while meeting the health and safety needs of children and adults.
• Model global awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of children.
• Examine, discuss, evaluate, and critique various issues and trends in Early Childhood Education.
• Identify and explain the major historic events and theoretical perspectives of Early Childhood Education.

Emphasis: Early Childhood Education
Degree: Initial State Certificate-ECE
Total Units: 12

Courses

• ECED& 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education - 5 units
• ECED& 107 Health/Safety/Nutrition - 5 units
• ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships - 2 units

Emphasis: Early Childhood Education
Degree: Short State Certificate of Specialization-ECE
Total Units: 20

Required Courses

• ECED& 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education - 5 units
• ECED& 107 Health/Safety/Nutrition - 5 units
• ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships - 2 units

Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and to use this knowledge to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth through age eight.
• Demonstrate the ability to use theory, research and foundations of education when planning and implementing Early Child Education programs.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community and the curriculum goals and content.
• Use individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and supportive relationships with children and develop personal self-control, self-motivation and positive self-esteem.
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Articulate a philosophy and rationale for decisions while continually assessing and evaluating the effects of their choices and actions on others.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of young children and their families, programs for young children and the working environment for early childhood educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and a commitment to professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in managing human, fiscal, and spatial resources while meeting the health and safety needs of children and adults.
• Model global awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of children.
• Examine, discuss, evaluate, and critique various issues and trends in Early Childhood Education.
• Identify and explain the major historic events and theoretical perspectives of Early Childhood Education.

Emphasis: Early Childhood Education
Degree: State Early Childhood Education Certificate
Total Units: 55