Professional Technical Certificate

Early Childhood Education Outdoor Learning Specialization Short Term Certificate

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Program
Early Childhood Education (ECED/ECED&)
Area of Study
Social Sciences and Education
Program Coordinator

Anna King
(360) 417-6495
aking@pencol.edu

Program Code: ECEOLC20

Program Description

This program is an exploration of nature-based, outdoor learning experiences for all young children. Providing students an opportunity to focus on, develop and apply best practice for engaging in nurturing, supportive relationships with children, families, and professional peers in an early learning setting. Explore the foundations of early childhood education.

 

Program Outcomes

  • Explain current theories and ongoing research in early care and education as they apply to children, families, and early childhood programs

  • Describe how children learn and develop through play and the role of play in early childhood programs

  • Develop an awareness of early childhood environments based on best practices in early childhood education

  • Observe, analyze, and compare early childhood program models

  • Explain the importance of building a partnership with children’s families and describe how early childhood programs can work effectively with families from a variety of cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds

  •  Identify developmentally appropriate problem-solving alternatives for guidance and discipline techniques used in family and classroom settings

  • Describe the observation, assessment, and teaching cycle and apply this model when planning curriculum and activities for young children

  • Describe the professional code of ethics for early care and education and demonstrate how the code can be applied to ethical dilemmas

  • Describe the major historical figures and events in early childhood education and their impact on current issues and trends as well as advocacy

As of Fall 2019, this program requires students to achieve a grade of 2.0 or above in all ECED and EDUC classes to progress through and complete the program.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
5

Explore the foundations of early childhood education. Examine theories defining the field, issues and trends, best practices, and program models. Observe children, professionals in action. This class may include students from multiple sections. STARS approved.

Credits: 5

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5

Introduces basic concepts of equitable health, safety, and nutrition standards for the growing child in group care and education programs. Requirements as outlined in Chare Care Block Grant funding (CCDF) and state licensing standards for child care providers will be covered including the knowledge and skills to ensure appropriate health, nutritional, and safety practices. In addition, the course will emphasize the skills necessary to recognize signs of child maltreatment, the educator’s role as a mandated reporter and the process of identifying and referring families to available community resources. This class may include students from multiple sections. STARS approved.

Credits: 5

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2

This course will provide students an opportunity to focus on, develop and apply best practice for engaging in nurturing, supportive relationships with children, families, and professional peers in an early learning setting. Students will apply and additional focus of children’s health and safety while promoting growth and development to relationship building with children and families. This class may include students from multiple sections. STARS approved.

Credits: 2

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3

This course is an exploration of nature-based, outdoor learning experiences for all young children. Students will identify the benefits of outdoor learning for children, learn about the teacher's role in supporting learning in the outdoor learning environment, consider adult comfort levels with outdoor experiences, and examine risk-taking as a part of learning. This class may include students from multiple sections.

Credits: 3

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5

Build a functional understanding of the foundation of child development from conception through early adolescence in all domains of development as seen through various developmental theories. The impact of culture, race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, family status, and exceptionalities on overall development will be examined as well as current research regarding brain development. Methods of observing and documenting developmental growth will be examined. This class may include students from multiple sections. STARS approved. (Formerly EDUC& 114, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
20
Total Credits
20