Early Childhood Teacher 41 credits

This major leads to initial licensure as a teacher of early childhood, grades PreK–2. Students completing the major may qualify for a variety of positions involving work with young children in nursery schools, kindergartens, and grades one through two. Within the major, students study ways of meeting children's special needs in regular early childhood settings.

Students in the Early Childhood Major must choose a liberal arts major to complement their professional study. Students may choose from twelve liberal arts fields:

• Art History
• Biology
• Child Studies
• Creative Writing
• English
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Global Studies: Politics, Culture, and Society
• History
• History and Literature
• Mathematics
• Political Science

This program requires a minimum of 150 hours of practicum work at the preschool/kindergarten level OR a minimum of 200 hours of practicum work in grade 1 or 2 during the junior year. The senior practicum is a semester experience at the level not chosen for the junior practicum.

Students working toward an Early Childhood Education licensure with an Early Intervention Specialization should refer to the Education Specializations section.

I. REQUIRED CORE:

Choose ONE:

II. LIBERAL ARTS SUPPORT COURSES:

*Students specializing in Early Intervention must take CEDUC 3704

CEDUC 1352

Teaching, Learning and Social Responsibility

4 credits

This course introduces aspiring teachers to the role of the school in a multicultural society and helps them develop a professional identity. Issues related to mainstreaming and inclusion are addressed. Through a variety of means which include site visits, speakers and panelists, and case studies, students are introduced to five areas of education: early childhood, elementary, special, middle, and secondary education. Issues related to the integration and inclusion of students with special needs in regular education environments are addressed. Students also expand and develop their critical thinking skills. Field visits/experiences are incorporated into the course throughout the semester

Note: Both a grade of C or higher in this course and the successful completion of the early field experience are prerequisites for CEDUC 2351, 2352, 2353 or CSPED 2354.

CEDUC 2351

Early Childhood Education

4 credits

This certificate-specific course lays the groundwork for those preparing to teach in preschools, child care centers, kindergartens, and grades 1–2. The focus is on provision of developmentally appropriate experiences in inclusive settings. Included are strategies for observation and assessment as these are related to the planning of integrated curriculum experiences which are relevant to the needs of children and families with diverse backgrounds. Also considered are the role of play in children's learning, various philosophical models that have impacted the field of early childhood education, and a historical perspective on current programs. A one-day a week field experience is an integral part of this course. Prerequisite: CEDUC 1352. Both a grade of C+ or higher in this course and the successful completion of the field experience are prerequisites to student teaching.

CEDUC 2401

Literacy Learning

3 credits

This course explores a child's journey into the world of literacy. Critical issues and pedagogy involved in teaching children to read, write, and communicate through listening and speaking are introduced. The language and literacy development of children from preschool through elementary levels is explored. Focus is also given to issues related to learners of varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Major reading approaches, such as whole language, language-experience, basal, and phonics are examined. Attention is also given to the specific components of the reading process: sight vocabulary, phonics, context clues, and comprehension, and to the stages of the writing process. This course provides opportunities to informally assess the reading/writing abilities of children and to design and implement appropriate instructional strategies. Prerequisite: CEDUC 1352. A grade of C+ or higher in this course is a prerequisite to student teaching.

CEDUC 3373

Developmental Experiences in Mathematics and Science

3 credits

This course helps prospective teachers to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create a learning environment that fosters the development of each young child's mathematical and scientific power. A constructivist view of learning provides the foundation for consideration of the content, methods, and materials for the mathematics and science curriculum for children aged 3–8 years. Play strategies and integrated curriculum themes are developed. Students are expected to design a curriculum unit and to implement and evaluate the unit within their concurrent field placement. Developmental readiness, learning styles, multicultural issues, and other diagnostic concerns are addressed. Prerequisites: CEDUC 2351 and CPSYC 2401. Must be taken concurrently with CEDUC 3702.

CEDUC 3395

Literature for Children and Young Adults

3 credits

Students gain an in-depth knowledge of literature for children and young adults by reading widely from a broad range of books. They develop skill in applying evaluation criteria based on the developmental, linguistic, and personal needs of readers. They also consider how authors and illustrators influence the development of understanding about culture, race, ethnicity, tradition, sex roles, and family structures. Based on their knowledge of the books, students develop strategies for implementing classroom literature programs and for using literature to expand knowledge in other subject areas. Emphasis is placed on considering how books are used to foster growth in critical thinking, reading, writing, and oral communication, and to inspire young readers so that reading becomes an integral part of their lives. Prerequisite: CEDUC 2401 or CEDUC 2402.

CEDUC 3420

Language Arts, Social Studies and Technology

3 credits

This course will strengthen and build upon students' content area knowledge in language arts and social studies. It will enhance the power of knowledge through hands-on, curriculum-related technology applications. The main focus of the course will be on learning to teach specific skills and helping children acquire information and attitudes related to the language arts and social studies curriculum for young children. An additional goal of the course will be to investigate the continuum of methods for computer integration in these areas, from lap learning through multimedia experiences. Technological and curricular adaptations necessary for teaching children in an inclusive classroom will be integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: CEDUC 2351.

CEDUC 3702

Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education

3 credits

This practicum provides one of the student teaching experiences required for the initial licensure in Early Childhood Education. The student engages in student teaching for a minimum of 150 hours at either the preschool level (3 or 4 year olds) or kindergarten level OR a minimum of 200 hours in grade 1 or 2. During this time, s/he works under the direction of an experienced teacher in planning and implementing experiences for young children. S/he assumes increasing responsibility for the classroom program and also attends a weekly seminar in which s/he is encouraged to reflect on his/her experiences as these are related to professional teaching standards. Each student must fulfill the licensure standards assigned to the course in order to receive a passing grade. Infancy and Parenting Studies/Early Intervention students will complete this practicum in a setting for children 0–3 and their families. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CEDUC 1352; C+ or better in CEDUC 2351 and 2401; and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; Passing score on MA Educator Test of Communication and Literacy Skills. This course must be taken concurrently with CEDUC 3373. Taken for a pass/fail grade.

CEDUC 3704

Junior Practicum and Seminar in Early Intervention

3 credits

Early Intervention students will complete a 300 hour practicum in a setting for children 0-3 and their families. Students who choose to focus on Early Intervention must complete this experience in a Department of Public Health approved Early Intervention setting. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CEDUC 1352; C+ or better in CEDUC 2351 and 2401; and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; Passing score on MA Educator Test of Communication and Literacy Skills. This course must be taken concurrently with CEDUC 3373. Taken for a pass/fail grade.

CEDUC 4360

Working with Parents and Children in Integrated Early Childhood Settings

3 credits

Taken concurrently with a practicum, this course is designed to be a synthesizing experience. It focuses on individual differences and how to create the environmental and curricular adaptations to meet them. It also considers differences in families, in parenting styles, and in culture as the basis for planning parent-teacher interactions around issues of curriculum, behavior management, and home-school continuity. In addition, it includes a variety of ways for gathering information about a child's development and for keeping track of a child's progress. Prerequisites: CEDUC 2351 and CPSYC 2401. This course is taken senior year, simultaneously with student teaching.

CEDUC 4721

Senior Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood Education

9 credits

The semester-long practicum is designed to meet the standards for initial licensure as defined by the state of Massachusetts. Students must work in classrooms under the direction of experienced teachers and are supervised by Lesley College faculty. As a complement to each practicum, students participate in a weekly seminar. Challenges and concerns growing out of daily teaching are examined and related to general educational methods, theories, and classroom practice. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CEDUC 1352; C+ or better in CEDUC 2351, 2401; and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; all education and support courses completed excluding CEDUC 4360; passing scores on MA Educator Tests of Communication and Literacy Skills, Foundations of Reading, and Early Childhood. Taken for pass/fail grade.

CPSYC 2401

Child Psychology

3 credits

This course focuses on human growth and development from conception through early adolescence. Emphasized are the characteristic stages of physical, language, cognitive, and social-emotional development considered from various theoretical perspectives. Also considered are the broad range of children's abilities and needs; the influence of family structures on personality and behavior; and common health problems, including substance abuse, as these impact development. Students must fulfill the certification-related competencies assigned to the course in order to receive a passing grade.

CPSYC 2437

Characteristics of Children and Youth with Special Needs

3 credits

This course offers students a legal, social, and educational understanding of inclusionary practices as they pertain to students with disabilities. The course examines the physical, cognitive, affective, and social experiences of children and youth with a variety of disabilities and discusses the implications of these characteristics for participation in school and community.