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Early Childhood Development - A.A.S. Degree (Career)

APPLICATION CODE 89

For curriculum information, contact the Social Sciences and Teacher Education Division—Room ST-149—443-518-1620.

In our society where often both parents are working full-time outside the home, the need for qualified child care providers is growing rapidly. This curriculum is designed to provide the student with a well-rounded background in early childhood development. As part of their career education, many courses assign students to off-campus child care settings where they will interact with young children under the supervision of professionals in the field. Graduates of this area of study, under current State of Maryland regulations, will have the skills necessary to become a Director of a Child Care Center licensed for more than forty children provided that they have two years of experience in an early childhood program and are at least 21 years of age.

A graduate should be able to

  1. Describe the theories and principles of child development and learning, and apply the theories and principles to classroom teaching.
  2. Identify the policies, issues, trends, and historical events in the field of early childhood education.
  3. Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of supporting and empowering families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of content areas and apply developmentally appropriate approaches to enhance children’s learning and development.
  6. Identify and explain the models of classroom and behavior management.
  7. Identify and conduct themselves as early childhood professionals who use ethical guidelines and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards related to early childhood practice, and who are advocates for sound educational practices and policies.

Suggested Semester 1

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 121College Composition

3

EDUC 111Child Growth and Development

3

EDUC 112Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education

3

EDUC 113Working With Infants and Toddlers

3

EDUC 130Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3

Suggested Semester 2

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 140Child Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

EDUC 151Practicum in Early Childhood Development

5

EDUC 160School Age Child Care

3

MATH 132Topics in Mathematical Literacy

3

AND

FYEX 100First Year Experience

2

OR

MATH 128Concepts of Mathematics II

4

OR

MATH 138Statistics

4

Suggested Semester 3

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 200Introduction to Special Education

3

EDUC 212Advanced Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education

3

EDUC 230Child Care Center Administration and Management

3

Gen Ed Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group A

3

Select 3 credits from the following:

Course NumberTitleCredits
SPCH 101Introduction to Human Communication

3

SPCH 105Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3

SPCH 110Interpersonal Communication

3

SPCH 115Intercultural Communication

3

SPCH 151The Spoken Word

3

Suggested Semester 4

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 201Processes and Acquisition of Reading

3

EDUC 251Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Development

5

Gen Ed Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Core Group B

3

Gen Ed Core Science Core Course (must include lab)

4

Total Credit Hours: 60