Early Childhood Education Pathway

Start today to make your life extraordinary by learning to work with small children. We will start the year looking at what it takes to work with small children, discussing child development theory; prenatal development including labor and delivery and will move into child development from birth through age 8. We will learn about professionalism in the workplace, values, goal setting and communication skills. The knowledge and skills gained in this class are necessary for life as a mature caring adult and will help prepare you for a career in the field of early childhood education, the more we know the better prepared we can be

In the second year of the ECE program of study, students will learn how to care for and promote development in young children. Students will do observations and projects. Students will also do a more in-depth study relating to child development along with hands-on projects like storytelling, puppetry, and healthy snacks. A variety of professions working with young children are discussed.  Students work alongside the teachers in the daycare/preschool program at Little Explorers Early Learning Center a minimum of 50% of their time

The ECE 3 course uses the competencies from the national Child Development Associate (CDA) program. In this course, students will continue their study of child development. Students will plan and participate in hands-on experiences with children ages 0-5, along with cleaning duties and life skills that apply to a work site on a daily basis. Lifelong guidelines are the focus for high school students and young children. Students will complete reading/writing assignments that relate to children and families. Students work alongside the teachers in the daycare/preschool program at Little Explorers Early Learning Center a 100% of their time in ECE 3. This course is repeatable for credit.

This course utilizes Diversified Cooperative Education (DCE) methodology, one teacher responsible for students within multiple program areas, to combine school-based and supervised work-based learning experiences related to the standards identified for the Early Childhood Education Program.