Early Childhood & Elementary Careers

Early Childhood & Elementary Careers

Early Childhood & Elementary Careers (ECEC) is for high school Juniors and Seniors who want to learn about children’s growth and development. We know that students learn best through real-life experiences working with children. The ECEC program includes time each week for our students to go into the Head Start classrooms on-site to help out. Towards the end of the year, our students attend an internship in the community to gain even more experience with children. In class, students learn about developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum development, safety and guidance, special needs, professional skills, and many other components of careers in early childhood. This program provides invaluable experiences for career exploration and developing a solid base of knowledge about young children.

Program Goals

Skills Needed

Identify child development theorists and understand theories of development

Describe infant, toddler, preschool and school age development

Research disabilities and how to work with children with special needs

Research/investigate career choices

Experience daily activities and routines with preschool children in the onsite Head Start labs

Describe and demonstrate different assessment techniques

Compare types of child care and educational programs through research and observation

Describe job requirements and roles of workers, describe career opportunities and investigate educational/training requirements

Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate activities for preschool children

Experience work-based learning through community internships in elementary schools, day care centers, preschools, special needs classrooms, licensed home day cares, etc

Excellent communication and social skills

Professional and ethical behavior

Proficient reading and math skills

Being alert and aware of what’s going on around you

Ability to handle on-the-job experiences in public settings

Early Childhood & Elementary Careers Syllabus

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Early Childhood & Elementary Careers

Mary Pierce

Instructor Phone Number Email
Mary Pierce 763-684-2208 mary.pierce@wrighttech.org
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