Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of young childrenꞌs (birth-age 8) characteristics and needs encompassing multiple, interrelated areas of childrenꞌs development and learning including physical, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and aesthetic domains as well as learning processes and motivation to learn.
• demonstrate the ability to use developmental knowledge including strengths of families and children to create physically and psychologically safe learning environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
• provide curriculum and learning experiences that reflect the principles of universal design for learning, the languages, cultures, traditions, and individual needs of diverse families and children, with particular attention to the cultures of the children and families in the classroom and to American Indians and tribes in Montana.
• identify, apply, and reflect on their knowledge of family and community partnerships.
• use formal and informal assessments, early learning professional knowledge, reflection, collaborative relationships, and critical thinking to analyze and continuously improve professional practices with young children and their families.
• create a caring community of learners that supports positive relationships; promotes the development of children’s social, emotional, and friendship skills; and assists children in the development of security, self-regulation, responsibility, and problem solving.
• utilize a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching skills and strategies supportive of young learners, such as integrating curricular areas; scaffolding learning; teaching through social interactions; providing meaningful child choice; implementing positive guidance strategies; and making appropriate use of technology.
• integrate and support in-depth learning using both spontaneous and planned curricula and teaching practices in each of the academic discipline content areas including language and literacy; science; mathematics; social studies; the performing and visual arts; health and well-being; and physical development, skills, and fitness.

With student teaching, the Early Childhood minor can qualify an individual for an added P-3 Endorsement to a Montana Educator License.  The Early Childhood Minor is not a standalone endorsement and can only be added to a qualifying Montana Educator License.  The endorsement is required for educators in accredited P-3 programs.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
EDEC 130	Hlth,Sfty,& Ntrtn in Erly Chld	2
EDEC 296	Fieldwork/Practicum	1
EDEC 310	Child in the Family	3
EDEC 352	Math & Science in Early Chldhd	3
EDEC 381	EC Curriculum & Methods	3
EDEC 385	Intgrtd Curr Early Chldhd Ed	3
EDEC 430	Soc/Emotional Dev in Yng Child	3
EDU 330	Emergent Literacy	3
EDU 336	Cog & Lang Dev in Yng Children	3
Total Credits for Minor		24
Optional
EDEC 495	Early Childhood Student Tching 1	9-12
Total Minimum Credits with endorsement		33-36

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Note:   Early Childhood student teaching is required for candidates who want a P -3 teaching license endorsement.

Certain courses in this program have prerequisites; students should check the course descriptions for required prerequisites.