This course has three major areas of focus: (1) historical background and discussion of various approaches to early childhood education, (2) early learning environments for children from infancy to kindergarten age, and (3) developmentally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies. Students will examine how to design inclusive, safe and engaging physical and social environments that support children’s growth and development, and how we can support children’s learning and development by employing developmentally appropriate curricular design, instructional strategies, and assessment tools and processes.

In this course, students will study various philosophies in early childhood education and articulate their own philosophy of education. Students will learn how to plan curriculum that integrates various disciplines, including the visual arts and creative expression, and that is based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS). Strategies for promoting young children’s prosocial development and personal responsibility, and for including children of all abilities will be explored.