An early childhood education course offers students an opportunity to learn about lesson planning, how to implement equipment and educational materials, and how to develop teaching tools. Students also have an opportunity to learn how to evaluate young children and explore the complexities of behavior in academic and social settings.
Students enrolled in child development and learning courses learn the observational techniques used to assess children's development and learning. The courses uss case studies to give students the tools necessary to improve a child's speaking, writing, listening, and other cognitive skills. Focus is also placed on the communication and relationships between young children and their peers.
A course on health, safety and nutrition for young children teaches students how nutrition effects the overall health of young children. Students in the course learn to identify potential stress factors and how to identify and manage them. Hygiene and safety is also emphasized in the course.
Students in a working with families course learn about the role parents play in a child's education and working with parents to improve their child's learning process. The course is designed to advocate parent involvement and explore the family dynamics, including cultural diversity, economics and family structures. Students also learn about integrating community resources into a young children's learning experience.
Students in a course on children's social and emotional growth develop an understanding of the principles involved in the growth and development of children. The course focuses on the intellectual, physiological, social and emotional development of children, and students explore the latest theories and philosophies about social and emotional growth. Additional topics include rate of maturation, risk factors, societal influences and innate abilities.