Early Childhood Education, AAS

Emphasis: Early Childhood Education

Degree: Associate in Applied Science

Total Units: 91-96

Class Type: Lecture, Lab, Hybrid, Online

Purpose: The Early Childhood Education - Associate in Applied Science degree program provides students with the critical Early Childhood and Child Development content necessary to compete for employment in early childhood education or in a school system as a teacher’s aide. The Children’s Lab School provides a lab environment for observation and practice.Students may enter the program during any quarter and participate part-time or full-time. Completion of the AAS program prepares graduates to compete for employment in childcare centers, family day care homes, cooperative and private preschools, ECEAP, or Head Start.The curriculum provides instruction for parents, foster parents, day care parents, and persons working with children.

Program Outcomes: Upon successful completion, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how children differ in their development and approaches to learning and to use this knowledge to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth through age eight.
• Demonstrate the ability to use theory, research and foundations of education when planning and implementing Early Child Education programs.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and teaching practices based on knowledge of individual children, the community and the curriculum goals and content.
• Use individual and group guidance and problem-solving techniques to develop positive and supportive relationships with children and develop personal self -control, self-motivation, and positive self-esteem.
• Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with families.
• Articulate a philosophy and rationale for decisions while continually assessing and evaluating the effects of their choices and actions on others.
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of young children and their families, programs for young children and the working environment for early childhood educators.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood profession and a commitment to professionalism.
• Demonstrate competence in managing human, fiscal, and spatial resources while meeting the health and safety needs of children and adults.
• Model global awareness and respect for the cultural diversity of children.• Examine, discuss, evaluate, and critique various issues and trends in Early Childhood Education.
• Identify and explain the major historic events and theoretical perspectives of Early Childhood Education.