Early Childhood/Preschool Education

The rapidly growing preschool field of private and public day care, Head Start, nursery, and public preschool centers has created numerous positions in a variety of settings for graduates of this program. Graduates are employed as group teachers in private childcare facilities, paraprofessionals in public schools, and as directors of private preschools and home day cares.

Students who have completed the program should be able to:

• Distinguish and apply the well-known and influential educational theories to practices
• Design a developmentally appropriate classroom environment to meet the needs of young children
• Develop observation skills and apply those skills to a case study, develop language and literacy skill in young children
• Use the arts, sciences, and math in planning an integrated activity to broaden the child's knowledge base, solve problems, and to help children relate to others
• Locate, retrieve, and critically evaluate information and information sources related to the profession
• Evaluate and reflect upon their professional growth and development by creating a professional portfolio