Practicum III is a culminating field experience designed to prepare students for professional roles in early childhood education. Building on prior practicum experiences, students will assume increased responsibility in planning, leading, and evaluating learning experiences for young children. This course emphasizes leadership, collaboration with families and colleagues, and the integration of theory into practice. Students will demonstrate competence in curriculum development, classroom management, and assessment strategies while fostering inclusive, culturally responsive environments. This class may include students from multiple sections. STARS approved.
Prerequisites
Course Outcomes
- Apply early childhood curriculum frameworks, developmental and academic content knowledge, and related pedagogy to plan and implement equitable, universally designed, developmentally appropriate, and challenging learning experiences in natural and inclusive environments.
- Document, interpret and analyze assessment information using a strength-based approach in collaboration with families and other professionals to support each child’s development and learning.
- Demonstrate the ability to use responsive teaching practices that align with the learning trajectories of young children and meet the individual needs of each child. This includes differentiating instruction, incorporating play as a core teaching strategy, and supporting the development of executive function skills essential for early learning.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills that effectively support positive relationships and collaboration with young children, families, and colleagues in early childhood education settings.
- Design and implement strategies that promote young children’s social and emotional competence and communication skills and develop and apply function-based behavior intervention plans to proactively prevent and address challenging behaviors in inclusive early learning environments.
- Identify, interpret, and apply ethical and legal policies and procedures relevant to early childhood education settings, demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to the well-being and rights of all children and families.