This course introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, guidance techniques, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to implement developmentally appropriate environments, guidance techniques, schedules, and teaching strategies across developmental domains to support culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families in inclusive settings, and design a personal career/professional development plan.

This courses designed to allow students to demonstrate acquired skills in a three-star (minimum) or NAEYC accredited or equivalent, quality early childhood environment. Emphasis is placed on designing, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities and environments for all children; supporting/engaging families; and modeling reflective and professional practices based on national and state guidelines. Upon completion, students should be able to apply NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development to demonstrate developmentally appropriate plans/assessments, appropriate guidance techniques, and ethical/professional behaviors, including the use of appropriate technology, as indicated by assignments and onsite faculty assessments. Students are required to observe and practice at approved sites (within the student’s area) in two of the three early childhood age groups (birth-age 3, 3-5, 5-8) in order to successfully complete the capstone practicum course.

This course examines classroom management and evidence-based instructional strategies that create supportive learning environments to provide culturally, linguistically and developmentally appropriate guidance for school-age populations. Topics include classroom management and organization, teaching strategies, individual student differences and learning styles, ongoing systematic observation, and developmentally appropriate classroom guidance techniques. Upon completion, student should be able to utilize developmentally appropriate behavior management, utilize high-quality instructional strategies that enhance the teaching/learning process and promote students’ academic success

This course covers the development of partnerships among culturally, linguistically and ability diverse families, children, schools, and communities through the use of evidence-based strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and identifying benefits for establishing and supporting respectful relationships between diverse families, programs/schools, and community agencies/ resources reflective of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators. Upon completion, students should be able to identify appropriate relationship building strategies between diverse families, children birth through adolescence, schools, and communities and demonstrate a variety of communication skills including appropriate use of technology to support every child.