A Civic Learning course that introduces and explores current issues, policies and practices in early care and education, which impact families and young children of diverse backgrounds. Emphasis on self-study, anti-bias frameworks, inclusion, and advocacy as well as civic engagement and cross-cultural communication.
Through documentary film, research and diverse stories, contemplates the lives of children around the world, the life-spaces they inhabit, and commonly held ideas about children and parenting from multi-cultural, critical and feminist perspectives; provides a greater appreciation for childhood, both as a cultural construction, and as a distinctly constructed culture.
The biological, psychological, and social growth and development of children and their relationships with family, peers, and institutions.
Emphasizes the development of relevant, integrated, authentic, individualized, developmentally appropriate curriculum based on formative assessments and interpretations of children's work in inclusive Infant/toddler classrooms, serving children from birth-age 3. Reflective thinking is supported by readings and discourse. Prerequisites: EDEC 1010, EDEC 1630 or equivalent, Praxis Core Fulfilled, Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education major, or Instructor permission. Co-requisite: EDEC 2090.
Practicum experience with infants and toddlers. Students spend 9 hours per week as a member of a diverse, infant/toddler classroom developing skills in observation/assessment, curriculum development and facilitation. Prerequisites: EDEC 1010, EDEC 1630 or equivalent, Praxis Core requirement fulfilled, or Instructor permission. Co-requisite: EDEC 2050.
Provides students the knowledge and skills necessary in developing a scientific mind as they examine concepts in life science, physical science, earth and space science, environmental justice and sustainability. Deepens understanding of everyday complex phenomena through observation, hypothesis generation, experimentation and analysis, and considers how to enhance children's understanding of these science concepts. Prerequisites: EDEC 1630, EDEL 1240, EDEC 1070, or Instructor permission.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
The capstone service-learning experience of the Childhood Studies Minor. Places students in a range of community-based organizations advancing the interests of Vermont children and their caregivers. Students will apply their knowledge in Childhood Studies as advocates and change-makers. Through observation, participation, critical reflection, action research and writing as an iterative process, students will demonstrate their impact. Prerequisites: EDEC 1070, Catamount Core WIL1 course, Junior standing; or Instructor permission.
Focuses on children's development of mathematical thinking as it relates to STEM and classroom practices (Kindergarten-Grade 3) that individualize mathematizing within a socio-constructivist context of learning. Integrated approach to curriculum development with an emphasis on inquiry and 'real world' investigations. Prerequisites: EDEC 1630 or equivalent; Praxis Core fulfilled; Early Childhood PreK-3 majors; or Instructor permission. Co-requisites: EDEC 3790, EDEC 3810, EDEC 3820.
Inter-disciplinary practicum in a K-3 public school classroom, designed to provide students with opportunities to practice teaching methods in Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies while ensuring a differentiated approach to curriculum development, instruction and assessment. Prerequisites: EDEC 1630 or equivalent; Praxis Core Requirement fulfilled; Early Childhood PreK-3 major; or Instructor permission. Co-requisites: EDEC 3560, EDEC 3810, EDEC 3820.
Examines content/methods for designing, implementing, and evaluating inquiry-based curriculum that is authentic and meaningful to students' lives. Students will construct a shared vision for high quality instruction and explore how integrating Next Generation Science and C3 Framework for Social Studies can provide rich opportunities for engaging students in interdisciplinary, inquiry investigations. Prerequisites: EDEC 2130, EDEC 2510, or Instructor permission.
Provides the foundation needed to implement an integrated approach to designing, presenting, and evaluating an English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum across content areas while providing an important understanding of the qualities of children's literature. Prerequisites: EDEC 1630; Praxis Core Requirement fulfilled; Early Childhood PreK-3 major; or Instructor permission. Co-requisites: EDEC 3560, EDEC 3790, EDEC 3810.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory-level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.