Course Descriptions

322-A32-HR       2-1-3       2 cr.
Establishing Child Care Services
This course identifies the timeframe and steps necessary to establish a childcare centre in Quebec and Ontario. Students will become aware of planning a home daycare as well as establishing a centre from developing feasibility studies, preparing proposals, designing the facility etc. Students will also become familiar with government regulations for the purpose of licensing various childcare services.

322-A35-HR      1-2-1      1 1/3 cr.
Communication in the Workplace
In this course, the Early Childhood Care and Education student will study the dynamics of human communication. Through lectures and in-class exercises, the student will explore the following themes: principles of interpersonal and small group communication (listening/ responding, verbal/non-verbal); decision making and problem solving; leadership and conflict management; building relationships and respecting roles. Oral and written communication skills within the workplace environment will be emphasized.

322-A36-HR      0-4-1      1 2/3 cr.
Developmental Programming
This experiential course complements the developmental theories being studied in Foundations of Child Development I. Labs introduce students to many different learning activities such as: art, music, children’s literature, sensory play, cognition and construction. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to observe children in a variety of child care environments.

322-A37-HR      3-0-2      1 2/3 cr.
Foundations of Child Development I
In this course, students are introduced to the basic principles of child development. Students gain a working understanding of the developmental milestones for children ages birth to twelve years old. Patterns of growth and behaviour are examined in relation to whole child development.

322-A38-HR       1-2-3       2 cr.
Creativity
This course will help students to recognize the need to develop and maximize skills in creative thinking as an important life skill for educators and children alike. Students will be given the opportunity to practise and develop creative skills using a variety of lateral thinking techniques.

322-A39-HR      4-1-4      3 cr.
Development of Educational Programs
Students will learn to analyze various educational approaches and develop their ability to link theory to practice. A critical exploration of diverse educational approaches will give students a theoretical foundation upon which to develop and evaluate program designs. Student programming will demonstrate an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice and sensitivity to diverse groups of children.

322-A40-HR      3-2-3       2 2/3 cr.
Foundations of Child Development II
Foundations of Child Development II will continue to focus on whole child development with an emphasis on social, physical, cognitive, linguistic, literacy and creative development. Students will begin to design and plan curriculum based on developmentally appropriate practice.

322-A41-HR      1-12-5      6 cr.
Fieldwork II
(Prerequisite: 322-A06-HR)
This course provides students with the opportunity to experiment with intervention techniques and consolidates theoretical perspectives with practical application. Students begin to analyze and to evaluate their experiences within the framework of the daycare centres and begin to formulate some notion of their personal philosophy of Early Childhood Care and Education.

322-A42-HR      3-12-6      7 cr.
Fieldwork III
Fieldwork III offers the student an opportunity to synthesize three years of learning in the Early Childhood Care and Education Program. This course consists of a block placement where students are expected to plan, implement and evaluate programs as knowledgeable professionals in the childcare field.

322-A45-HR      2-1-2      1 2/3 cr.
Interpersonal Communication
In this course, the Early Childhood Care and Education student will study the dynamics of human communication. Through lectures and in-class exercises, the student will explore the following themes: principles of interpersonal communication (listening/responding, verbal/nonverbal), conflict resolution, problem solving, building relationships and respecting roles. The focus will be on the understanding and enhancement of non-work related relationships through self-reflection and role playing activities.

322-A46-HR      3-1-3      2 1/3 cr.
Resources: Child, Family, Community
This course will organize and consolidate personal, community, and global resources to support and advocate for families of diverse backgrounds. Community resource people will be invited to the classroom to explore various career options. The student will assume the role of the ambassador of our program during organized field trips.

322-A47-HR      3-2-4      3 cr.
Curriculum (5-12 years)
Building on the students’ understanding of child development and quality childcare, this course focuses on the special aspects of providing care for the school-aged child (5 to 12 years). An important component of this course is a ―hands-on‖, practical experience with school age children. This experience will provide students with the opportunity to link theory to practice.

322-A48-HR      3-2-4      3 cr.
Curriculum (3-5 years)
This third-year course provides students with the opportunity to implement their skills and knowledge of child development by experiencing the process of designing constructivist curricula for preschoolers. The lab component will include working directly with preschoolers.

322-A50-HR      2-1-1      1 1/3 cr.
Role of the Educator
This course introduces students to Early Childhood Care and Education. Students will look at childcare centres and the role of the educator in meeting the diverse needs of children and their families. Different types of childcare services are introduced and the educational components of the Whole Child curriculum are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the role of the educator in providing for the physical and emotional well-being and the health and safety of the children in their care. Ethical professional conduct is studied in preparation for Fieldwork I.

322-A51-HR       2-1-3      2 cr.
Observation and Documentation
(Prerequisite: 322-A06-HR, corequisite: 322-A09-HR)
Students are introduced to a variety of methodologies in order to observe and document behaviours of children. This course is centred around the completion of a ―child study. ‖ Emphasis is placed on developing the skills necessary for analyzing and understanding the elements of observation as they relate to the uniqueness of the whole child. Through frequent child observations throughout the day, students assess and plan intervention techniques that relate to the goals and objectives followed in the day care setting.

322-A53-HR      1-5-3      3 cr.
Fieldwork I
Fieldwork I places students in childcare settings. Students will explore childcare programs and philosophies at an entry level in order to confirm their career choice. Weekly seminars provide a forum for students to discuss their field experience.

322-A54-HR      2-2-2      2 cr.
Affective Development
This course offers an in-depth look at the factors that influence a child’s emotional/social development. The ways in which children express their feelings through the creative arts and other media (art, music books, puppets, etc. ) are examined. The role of the educator as a facilitator in fostering a child’s positive self-esteem by affirming families and cultures is identified. Hands-on, practical programming that supports the emotional growth of children, including one-on-one and small group situations will be emphasized.

322-A55-HR       2-1-3        2 cr.
Nutrition
This course focuses on healthy eating. In particular, nutritional requirements during the early childhood years are examined. Major related issues include menu planning, establishing positive eating habits and designing nutrition education programs for young children and their families.

322-A57-HR      2-1-1      1 1/3 cr.
Health and Safety
Health is examined in terms of total well-being including physical, emotional and social dimensions. The role of the Early Childhood Care Educator is explored in maintaining personal health, identifying health and safety issues, promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting and respecting families, and networking and collaborating with the community on health issues.

322-A58-HR     1-5-3      3 cr.
Program Synthesis
Program Synthesis is designed to provide students with an opportunity to reflect upon their total learning experience in order to consolidate a personal philosophy of Early Childhood Care and Education. Students will demonstrate this reflective thinking and consolidation by designing a Portfolio which will serve as an exit assessment tool. The professional portfolio will serve as a catalogue of qualifications, skills, knowledge, and views relevant to a career in Early Childhood Care and Education.

322-A59-HR       2-1-2        12/3 cr.
Children with Special Needs
In this course the Early Childhood Education Student will study the concept of inclusion and how it impacts their role as an Educator. Knowledge will be acquired in the form of lectures, labs, hands on activities and fieldtrips which will deepen their knowledge as well as provide hands on experiences. The primary focus will be to create curriculums that are developmentally appropriate to all learners. This will include: adaptations to the physical environment, programming based on individual needs and developmental level in addition to behaviour guidance strategies.

322-A60-HR     4-1-2      2 1/3 cr.
Influence of the Environment
The Influence of the Environment focuses on the child care milieu and the way in which it can create an enriched atmosphere for infant’s growth and development. Environment includes the physical setting, schedules and routines, the role of educators, families and communities, and recognition of individual and group needs. Participant observations in quality infant programs are an integral part of this course.

322-A61-HR     1-2-1      1 1/3 cr.
Life Long Learning
In this course students will continue to develop the skills required to meet their professional goals. These will include skills job search skills: letters of application, resumes and interviewing, well as preparation of university applications, public speaking and long-term goal setting. Professional conduct and ethical practices will be central themes over the semester. Advocacy and awareness of the diversity in the early learning and child care sector locally, provincially, nationally and internationally are addressed.

322-A62-HR     1-2-1      1 1/3 cr.
Career and Workplace Preparation
This course introduces the student to many possible career and workplace opportunities in the Early Learning and Childcare sector. In this course students will begin preparation to successfully integrate into the job market; additionally they will be given the option to participate in two co-op work terms. Through examining potential career opportunities, the student will develop a strategy to meet personal strengths, interests and career options. Integral to the course will be the preparation of professional resumes and the development of effective job search and interviewing techniques.