Early Childhood Education

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply their first year of studies, knowledge, and skill demonstration to reflect in areas of the professional, the child, the environment, curriculum, and relationships. Students engage in a 260-hour practicum field experience.

This course examines the importance of art, dramatic play and literature in a play-based early childhood curriculum. It provides students the opportunity to develop engaging and inclusive activities to support creativity and self-expression as part of holistic development.

This course introduces students to the basic principles and practices of health and safety promotion, occupational health and safety, and illness prevention and management. Students explore the evidence-based research surrounding proper nutrition, active living, and social/emotional well-being as it applies to children from birth to age 12. Students learn how an integrated health curriculum supports the overall well-being of children and demonstrates respect for culturally inclusive practices, values, and traditions. This course includes an overview of the early childhood educator's roles and responsibilities in identifying, recording, and responding to child abuse and incorporating trauma informed approaches to support children and families in crisis.

This course improves students’ ability to navigate the college experience and environment, including student's rights, roles, and responsibilities. In this course, students reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and develop learning strategies to help them to become successful, resilient, and self-directed learners. The course covers topics such as success in online learning, time management strategies, learning strategies, assessment taking strategies, academic integrity, information and digital literacy, and wellness, among others. It integrates elements of student orientation.

This course provides students with an introduction to the theory and principles of communication. Students are able to demonstrate professional and academic presentations, using written and oral skills for employment in the field of early childhood education.

Early childhood educators must understand the significance of positive family relationships, as well as the role they play in supporting families. This course provides an opportunity to reach this understanding as students learn to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support, empower, and engage families in their children's development and learning.

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of guidance and strategies early childhood educators employ to provide children with a nurturing and respectful environment in which to grow. Students also explore their own personal beliefs and values in regard to children's behaviour. They are introduced to indirect and direct guiding techniques and the early childhood educator's role in guiding routines and daily activities indoors and outdoors. Strategies to foster the development of a positive sense of self are explored.

This course serves as a foundational basis for Early Childhood Education students. Topics include: an overview of pre-colonial contexts, traditional child rearing practices, colonial expansions (treaties, disruption of Indigenous families and social structures, residential schools), current trends, cultural competency, the revitalization of Indigenous languages and how these issues impact Indigenous children and families.

This course introduces the principles, processes and theories of human development. Influences on prenatal development and the newborn's capacities are explored. The physical, cognitive, language, emotional and social domains of development and milestones reached through infancy and toddlerhood are the focus of this course.

This course provides an overview of the field of early childhood education. Students are introduced to the profession of early childhood education, the role, and qualities of the early childhood educator as well as several types of early childhood settings and to the provincial regulations for early learning and care. Learning to create play-based experiences based on observation are examined. The practice of planning, implementing, and evaluating a rich play-based curriculum for children is utilized to build skills to form the basis for implementing emergent curriculum.

This course focuses on the development of the preschool child. The physical, cognitive, language, emotional and social domains of development and milestones of children ages two to six are explored through theory, research and observation.

Professional skills are vital to the role of the Early Childhood Educator. Students examine the occupational standards for Early Childhood Educators and topics of confidentiality, professional conduct and a culturally responsive attitude. Students learn the process of applying for jobs in the field of early childhood education including resume writing, interviewing and gain knowledge in the job description of the Early Childhood Educator. An introduction to the purposes and outcomes of professional observation and documentation are presented. Occupational Health practices are explored as a key aspect to support the role of the Early Childhood Educator.

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply reflective practice, observation, planning, implementation, documentation, and assessment knowledge learned from various courses at the end of the two-year ECE diploma program. Students engage in a 260-hour practicum field experience.

This course introduces students how to develop authentic, meaningful and respectful partnerships with children, families and community. Learners explore the importance of partnerships, strategies to develop cooperation and actively engage with stakeholders to build and maintain connections.

This course explores ways to transform an early learning and childcare environment. Students are exposed to provincial licensing regulations, guidelines, and best practices that affect the daily operation of an environment. They examine the elements of design and apply that knowledge by transforming a space within an early learning program. Students use observation to analyse children's indoor and outdoor play to create a rich and diverse climate for play and learning.

Prerequisites: ECED-0004 Curriculum Planning 1, PSSY-0022 Child Development 2
This course explores modern day approaches that can be considered in the development of curriculum. The course guides students through the emergent and project approach to curriculum planning. Students analyse factors that affect curriculum including scheduling and the creation of an anti-bias environment.

This course provides an overview of the inclusion of children with additional support needs in early childhood settings. It examines the causes and characteristics of a variety of exceptionalities, as well as the effect on children's development. Existing practices of assessment, referral and intervention for young children are explored. The focus is on early childhood practices and procedures necessary for including children with diverse abilities in early childhood settings.

Early Childhood Educators require knowledge and understanding of how to promote literate behaviours in early childhood programs. This course incorporates theory with related activities appropriate for literacy and language development required in the early childhood setting. Students also examine the topic of numeracy with young children and develop skills in stimulating communication among children and adults.

Students explore how music and movement supports healthy development, the role of the early childhood education in fostering play and creating anti-bias environments for play. Students further develop skills in planning music and movement experiences for young children.

This course involves the study of the development of the school age child and adolescent. Through the study of theory, research and observation, students explore the physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development and milestones of children ages six to twelve, as well as the stages of development that mark the transitions through adolescence.

Students further develop their skills in planning play experiences for children in the area of sciences. Students learn how to facilitate introductory experiences for young learners in their use of basic technology. Observations and activities are used to build skills in creating a rich responsive curriculum for children.

Prerequisites: ECED-0001 Guiding Children's Behaviour, PSSY-0020 Child Development 2
This course focuses on methods of playroom management and teaching strategies that are appropriate to meeting the needs of children. It also examines guidance techniques and discipline methods based on theoretical principles of child behaviour.

This course provides students with essential knowledge as a part of professional reflective practice. Students examine professional and ethical behaviour, as advocates for the rights of children and families. Learners develop skills in reflective practice and critical thinking. They also develop a personal philosophy while comparing other program philosophies at various early learning and childcare settings.