Early Childhood Seminar III: Capstone & Work Sample

Catalog description

This course is the third seminar in a three-term sequence and serves as the culminating experience and final term of the program. It is devoted to analyzing and synthesizing the knowledge and skills gained through the Early Childhood (ECS) and Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EC-EI/ECSE) Studies major as they apply to inclusive early childhood education. Through core studies and final projects, students examine teaching and learning while completing a comprehensive, student-generated summary of their three-term experience. This includes documentation of demonstrated proficiencies, selected samples of their work as an early educator, reflective analysis of their readiness to enter the field, identification of their special area(s) of expertise, and preparation of culminating projects such as the capstone project (ECS) and final work sample (EC-EI/ECSE). Students also develop a professional development plan to guide their first year(s) of teaching, supporting a thoughtful transition from preparation to practice.