Language, Literacy, and Learning Across Domains in Early Childhood

Catalog description

This course focuses on development of language, the building of foundational literacy skills and the acquisition of knowledge during the early childhood years. The course also provides opportunities for teacher candidates to deepen their understanding of child development and growth. Teacher candidates will have the opportunity to consider how various experiences and interactions influence learning during these vital years and the importance of creating an environment that fosters and nurtures diverse and equitable opportunities for children. The role of play in learning and the influence of social interaction with caring adults and peers will be discussed. Teacher candidates will learn how to make curricular and teaching decisions based on knowledge of child development, subject-specific content, curriculum content standards, and home and community cultures. The course examines the role of language and literacy across the disciplines in early childhood. Developmental milestones in language acquisition and literacy development will be discussed and tools for screening young learners in these areas will be introduced. Teacher candidates will gain an appreciation for the professional responsibility of early childhood educators, particularly with regard to understanding children’s homes and communities, fostering learning across developmental domains, tracking progress, and intervening and/or seeking the support of specialists as warranted. Required: 6 hours per week field placement in an early childhood classroom.