Early Childhood Studies

What is the Early Childhood Studies program?

Early Childhood Studies programs prepares students for early childhood, early care and education professions.

What will I learn?

Students will explore their understanding of:

• promoting child development and learning from birth through age 8
• building family and community relationships
• observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families
• using developmentally effective approaches with young children
• using content knowledge to build meaningful early childhood curriculum
• becoming a professional in the field of early childhood

In addition, students will have multiple opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of three early childhood age groups (birth - 3, 3-5, 5-8).

Students will learn to have excellence in all facets of the early childhood classroom, how to stay current in early childhood education research and be advocates for children at the home, in the employment, in the community and at the national level.

What can I do with this course of study?

A variety of opportunities exist for those who choose such a career:

• early childhood teacher
• early care and education director
• early care and education specialist
• teacher assistant

Students are recognized and sought out by local industry and higher education programs.

What's special about this program?

The Department of Early Childhood Studies was the first community college department in the state to have the Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Nationally accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA) program. www.naeyc.org/ecada

"The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out.-Gates"