Course Descriptions 2008-2009 Catalog

Early Childhood Education

ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood education
3 Credits
Provides an introduction to Early Childhood Education. Includes the eight key areas of professional knowledge: Child Growth and Development; Health, Nutrition and Safety; Developmentally Appropriate Practices; Guidance; Family and Community Relationships; Diversity; Professionalism; Administration and Supervision. Focuses on ages birth through age eight.
This course is one of the Statewide Guaranteed Transfer courses. GT-SC1.

ECE 102 Introduction to Early Childhood Lab
3 Credits
Focuses on a classroom seminar and placement in a child care setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe children, to practice appropriate interactions, and to develop effective guidance and management techniques. Addresses ages birth through age eight.
PREREQUISITE: ECE 101 or COREQUISITE ECE 101.

ECE 103 Guidance Strategies for Children
3 Credits
Explores guidance theories, applications, goals, techniques and factors that influence expectations, classroom management issues, and pro-social skills. Addresses ages birth through age eight.

ECE 111 Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice
3 Credits
Presents an overview of theories, applications (including observations) and issues pertinent to infant and toddler development in group and\or family settings. Includes state requirements for licensing, health, safety and nutrition issues.

ECE 112 Introduction to Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques
3 Credits
Includes a classroom seminar and placement in an infant and/or toddler setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe, to practice appropriate interactions and to develop effective guidance and nurturing techniques with infants and/or toddlers. Addresses ages prenatal through age two.
PREREQUISITES: ECE 111, health screening, including TB and HiB tests.

ECE 125 Science/Math and the Young Child
3 Credits
Examines theories of cognitive development as a framework for conceptualizing the way young children acquire scientific and mathematical skills, concepts, and abilities. Enables students to research and develop appropriate individual and group scientific/mathematical activities for young children.

ECE 126 Art and the Young Child
2 Credits
Prepares students to plan and implement a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate art program for young children. Investigates the development of self-taught art techniques in young children.

ECE 127 Music/Movement for the Young Child
1 Credit
Focuses on the purposes of incorporating music and movement into the early childhood curriculum. Through active participation with hands-on experiences, students work with the concepts of age and developmental appropriateness when designing fun activities with both subjects.

ECE 155 Family and Parenting Issues
1 Credit
Explores the types of family organizations, functional roles of family members, different parenting styles and other issues impacting children's development that families and parents are experiencing in today's society.

ECE 175 Special Topics
1-6 Credits
Explores current topics, issues and activities related to one or more aspects of the early childhood profession.

ECE 178 Workshop
1-6 Credits
Provides students with an experiential learning opportunity.
COREQUISITE: ECE 179.

ECE 179 Seminar
1-6 Credits
Provides students with an opportunity to examine aspects of early childhood education in detail.
COREQUISITE: ECE 178.

ECE 185 Independent Study
3 Credits
Focuses on structured, guided, and individualized research that is organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student.

ECE 187 Cooperative Education
1-12 Credits
Focuses on a college-to-work based experience that draws on combined efforts of educators and employers to produce outcomes related to student career objectives.

ECE 205 Nutrition, Health and Safety
3 Credits
Focuses on nutrition, health and safety as a key factor for optimal growth and development of young children. Includes nutrient knowledge, menu planning, food program participation, health practices, management and safety, appropriate activities and communication with families. Addresses ages from prenatal through age eight.

ECE 220 Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques
3 Credits
Provides an overview of early childhood curriculum development. Includes processes for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate environments, materials and experiences, and quality in early childhood programs.

ECE 225 Language and Cognition for the Young Child
3 Credits
Examines theories of cognitive and language development as a framework for conceptualizing the way children acquire thinking skills. Includes observing, planning, facilitating, creative representation, and evaluating strategies within the context of play. Focuses on language, science, math, problem solving and logical thinking. Addresses ages birth through age eight.

ECE 226 Creativity and the Young Child
3 Credits
Provides an emphasis on encouraging and supporting creative self expression and problem solving skills in children. Explores creative learning theories and research. Focuses on developmentally appropriate curriculum strategies in all developmental domains. Addresses ages birth through age eight.

ECE 228 Language and Literacy
3 Credits
Presents strategies for optimum language development, literacy, social and emotional development. Supports children's language and literacy in home, classroom, and community settings. Provides appropriate teacher/child verbal interactions, classroom environments, and activities. Addresses ages birth through age eight.

ECE 240 Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
3 Credits
Examines Colorado's minimal licensing requirements, as well as optimal standards pertaining to the operation of programs for young children. Focuses on the director's administrative skills and role as a community advocate for young children. Addresses ages birth through age twelve.

ECE 241 Administration: Human Relations for the Early Childhood Professions
3 Credits
Focuses on the human relations component of an early childhood professional's responsibilities. Includes director-staff relationships, staff development, leadership strategies, parent-professional partnerships, and community interaction.

ECE 260 Exceptional Child
3 Credits
Presents an overview of typical and atypical developmental progression. Includes planning techniques, learning strategies, legal requirements and accommodations and adaptations that are necessary in order to create an integrated classroom environment for a child with a wide range of exceptionalities. Focuses on ages birth through age eight.
PREREQUISITE: ECE 226 or PSY 238.

ECE 275 Special Topics I
1-6 Variable Credits
Explores current topics, issues and activities related to one or more aspects of the early childhood care and education profession.

ECE 278 Workshop
1-6 Variable Credits
Provides students with an experiential learning opportunity.
COREQUISITE: ECE 279.

ECE 279 Seminar
1-6 Variable Credits
Provides students with an opportunity to examine aspects of early childhood education in detail.

ECE 285 Independent Study
1-6 Variable Credit
Meets the individual needs of students. Students engage in intensive study or research under the direction of a qualified Instructor.
PREREQUISITE: Instructor's permission.

ECE 287 Cooperative Education
1-12 Credits
Focuses on a college-to-work based experience that draws on combined efforts of educators and employers to produce outcomes related to student career objectives.

top of page | course description list