Early Childhood Education
Students successfully completing the Early Childhood Education program will have acquired the requisite skills for obtaining employment or advancement in the field of early childhood care and education. This program includes both an academic foundation and methods courses to provide a balanced, research-based program to prepare highly-qualified early childhood practitioners. Area Head Start classrooms and licensed registered child care facilities will serve as lab sites for students.
Student Outcomes
- Apply knowledge of how children develop and integrate opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and aesthetic development of children from birth through age eight.
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction, and assessment, based on knowledge of individual children, special needs, culture, the importance of play, and Montana’s Early Learning Standards and content.
- Integrate individual and group positive child guidance techniques that foster healthy and supportive relationships with and among children, promoting positive strategies that will develop personal self-control and self-esteem in children, including children that are differently able.
- Establish and maintain positive family, community, and professional relationships by communicating effectively, demonstrating sensitivity to differences, and involving families in planning for their children.
- Identify effective administrative skills, professional development needs, legal issues, resource information, state and national regulations, and other opportunities that would provide quality programs and services for young children.
Career Opportunities
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Recommended Electives
- AIS 110 Introduction to Stick Games (1 cr) AIS
- HTH 201 Health Issues for Educators (3cr)
- MUS 101 Music Appreciation (3cr)
- ART 102 Fund of Art for Elem Teacher (3cr)
- LIT 110 Intro to Lit (3cr)
- AIS 225 American Indian Lit (3cr)
Curriculum
Early Childhood Education: Fall Semester (First Year)
| GS 110 | Finding Place | 1 |
| EDEC 100 | Intro to EC w/Lab | 4 |
| PSYX 100 | Intro to Psychology | 3 |
| BIOB 160/L160 | Prin of Living Sys/Lab | 3/1 |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 |
Early Childhood Education: Spring Semester (First Year)
| AIS 100 | Introduction to AIS | 3 |
| Communication Elective | COMX 115 Interpersonal Comm. or COMX 111 Public Speaking | 3 |
| GE Elective | Humanities/Fine Art Elective | 3 |
| M 121 | College Algebra | 4 |
| WRIT 201 | College Writing II | 3 |
| Semester Total | 16 |
Early Childhood Education: Fall Semester (Second Year)
| EDEC 210 | Meeting the Needs of Fam | 3 |
| EDEC 220 | Curriculum & Environment | 3 |
| AIS 150/155 | Nakoda/Aaniiih Lang I | 3 |
| M 130 | Math for Elem Teachers | 3 |
| PSYX 230 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 |
Early Childhood Education: Spring Semester (Second Year)
| EPYC 250 | Exceptional Children | 3 |
| EDEC 230 | Guiding the Young Child | 3 |
| EDEC 290 | Field Experience | 3 |
| LIT 282 | Children’s Literature | 3 |
| AIS 140/141 | Nakoda/Aaniiih Hist/Culture | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Degree Total | 61 |
NOTE: If placement test scores indicate refresher classes are needed, the student’s program will require more than two years to complete. It is imperative that students work closely with their advisors.