Many early childhood education majors must take lessons in child development. This class is exactly what it says -- teaching the physical, emotional and intellectual growth milestones of young children. Often, a class in child development covers fetal growth as well. Teachers must know these milestones as they spend a lot of time with their students and can detect learning disabilities or any other issues that may not be noticed elsewhere.
Lessons in classroom management instruct soon-to-be teachers on how to instruct large classrooms of young children. As can be imagined, children can become disruptive and unruly in a group situation. A classroom management class focuses on discipline methods as well as how to create structured groups and positive situations so discipline will not be needed. Details to focus on include setting up desks and seating charts in the room and eliciting shy children to join the group.
Courses in curriculum focus on various teaching methods, such as Bank Street, High Scope, Dewey and Montessori. Differences in the methods have students interacting in groups as opposed to one-on-one instruction or a more interactive, hands-on environment versus a sterile environment encouraging private study. Learning about these methods provides teachers with ideas regarding their teaching preferences; additionally, a teacher may attain a job at a school that only uses one of those methods. For example, Montessori schools are well-known in the United States and use the Montessori method.
A child's family, notably their parents, are the most influential people in a child's life. Teachers need to recognize this special bond and how it influences their students in learning and social settings. Lessons in parent-child relations focus on the bond children form with their parents beginning in infancy. People who take these classes also learn how these bonds apply to a child's personal growth and development.