-->

Syllabus

Angi Stone-McDonald

Course description: 

This course will provide opportunity to use the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines to support your work with infants and toddlers. The first three years of life area a time of rapid brain development and learning.  This time is critically important for infants and toddlers as they develop foundations for learning.  The purpose of the Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) for Infants and Toddlers is to provide a comprehensive view of the development of infants and toddlers while documenting experiences that support this development. 

 

Course relationship to the Professional Education Unit’s Conceptual Framework:

This course engages future early childhood and special education teachers in becoming a “Thoughtful and Responsive Educator” which is at the center of the College of Education’s conceptual framework. The specific outcomes of "Commitments" (ethical behavior, life long learner, dedication, modeling and mentoring), "Understandings" (content, pedagogy, assessment, and technology), and "Practices" (caring, collaboration, reflection and social justice) are integrated into the goals, assignments and activities of the class.  In addition, the Early Childhood/Special Track Teacher of Students with Disabilities and Without Disabilities (Level Pre-K-2) has the conceptual framework of Careful, Connected Educator integrating into the goals, assignments, reflections, and activities of the class on: culturally sensitivity to families and community; awareness of cognitive, physical and social ability; group dynamics of young children; and participatory classroom community. 

 

Course Objectives:

Students will:

  1. Analyze current perceptions and practices and areas of growth regarding infant and toddler care and education.
  2. Describe and discuss the content and format of the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers.
  3. Identify children’s learning and interactions styles through observation and recording.     
  4. Interpret data collected through child observations to determine learning experiences which support children’s unique strengths and characteristics including children with special needs, children with developmental delays, and dual language learners. 
  5. Assess and articulate how the adult’s cultural competence impacts children’s development and learning.
  6. Describe the influence of experience and interactions on brain development. 
  7. Examine the importance of family engagement in the program and the impact on children’s development and learning.
  8. Examine and articulate the influence of language and culture on development and learning.
  9. Plan activities that support  the physical development of all children including those with special needs, physical limitations, or developmental delays.
  10. Analyze current nutritional practices and identify activities to promote healthy eating while supporting children with special needs, delays, or dietary needs.
  11. Identify and share community resources with peers and families. 
  12. Integrate the ELG for Infants and Toddlers and child observation to design an action plan to support physical health and well-being of the children and families in the program.
  13. Utilize knowledge learned to improve education and care offered to Infants and Toddlers.
  14. Apply new knowledge into work with infants, toddlers, peers, and families. 
  15. Assess professional development needs and conduct research to increase knowledge.
  16. Create a continuum of learning that links early education and care to later success in school and in life by aligning the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers, Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences, and the Kindergarten Frameworks.

 

Prerequisites: none

Required Texts:

Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers, available on line at: http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs1/Workforce_Dev/Layout.pdf

Zero to Three

 

Websites:

Brain Wonders http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders/ 

Early Head Start Resource Center http://www.ehsnrc.org/

EHS links http://www.ehsnrc.org/InformationResources/resmat.htm

 

Methods of Evaluation: Participation, pre/post tests, planning activities, self-assessment.

 

Outcome

Assessment Tool

Grading Criteria

1

Analyze current perceptions and practices and areas of growth regarding infant and toddler care and education.

Pre and Post test in each session

15%

2

Describe and discuss the content and format of the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers.

Reflection Sheet (2.5%) and Format Matching Game (2.5%)

7.5%

3

Identify children’s learning and interaction styles through observation and recording.

Observation (10% each)  (Modules 1, 2 )

20%

4

Interpret data collected through child observations to determine learning experiences which support children’s unique strengths and characteristics including children with special needs, children with developmental delays, and dual language learners. 

Use Observations to select and offer Supportive Learning Experience (5% each) (Modules 1, 2, 3)

15%

5

Assess and articulate how the adult’s cultural competence impacts children’s development and learning. 

Cultural Competency Self-Assessment (Module 1)

2.5%

6

Describe the influence of experience and interactions on brain development. 

Brain Map Activity (Module 2, Session 1)

2.5%

7

Examine the importance of family engagement in the program and the impact on children’s development and learning.

Family Engagement Activity (Module 2, Session 1)

2.5%

8

Examine and articulate the influence of language and culture on development and learning.

Language and Culture Questionnaire (Module 2, Session 2)

2.5%

9

Plan activities that support the physical development of all children including children with special needs, physical limitations, or developmental delays.

Review ELG Section and offer a Physical Activity or Nutrition Activity (Module 3, Session 1)

5%

10

Analyze current nutritional practices and identify activities to promote healthy eating while supporting children with special needs, delays, or dietary needs.

Review ELG section and offer a Physical Activity or  Nutrition Activity (Module 3, Session 1)

n/a (included in #9)

11

Identify and share community resources with peers and families.

Identify two community resource on children’s physical health and well-being and share with families (Module 3, Session 1)

2.5%

12

Create a continuum of learning that links early education and care to later success in school and in life by aligning the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers, Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences, and the Kindergarten Frameworks.

Review the Guidelines for PS Learning Experiences and the Kindergarten Frameworks. Summarize the continuum of learning using these resources. (Module 3)

5%

13

Utilize intentional and responsive teaching practices by observing and integrating knowledge about Approaches to Learning in practice.

Observation of approaches to learning and offering a Supportive learning experience (Module 3, Session

Under ABO #3

14

Apply knowledge learned to improve education and care offered to Infants and Toddlers.

Implementation Action Plan (Module 3, Session 2)

Under ABO #15

15

Integrate new knowledge into work with infants, toddlers, peers, and families. 

One Step at a Time Goal Sheet (Module 1 and 2)

Implementation Action Plan (2.5% each) (Module 3)

7.5%

16

Assess professional development needs and conduct research to increase knowledge.

Final Project:  Select one topic (each has specific requirements); responsive caregiving, children with special needs, professional development or dual language learners.

15%

 

Accommodations

Section 504 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 offer guidelines for curriculum modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities. If applicable, students may obtain adaptation recommendations from the Ross Center (287-7430).  The student must present and discuss these recommendations to each professor within a reasonable period, preferably by the end of the Drop/Add period.

 Students are required to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, including requirements for academic honesty, delineated in the University of Massachusetts Boston Graduate Studies Bulletin, Undergraduate Catalog, and relevant program student handbook(s).

 Students are advised to retain a copy of this syllabus in their personal files for use when applying for certification, licensure, or transfer credit.

 

This syllabus is subject to change.


View full syllabus