Early Childhood & Elementary Careers

If you want to learn about children, their growth and development-newborn through school age, you need to be able to work with children on a regular basis. This is why there is a Head Start program for children right next door to our classroom. Between the two rooms is a soundproof booth and a one-way mirror so that you can observe and study childhood behavior. This is also why the program includes an internship at a real job site. You will also learn about curriculum development, guidance, discipline, children with special needs and child abuse. This program will give you invaluable experiences for careers that include working with children as an elementary or special education teacher, a day care provider, or as a nanny.

Program Goals
This program will enable the student to:

• 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

Skills Needed
To be successful in this program, you should have the following skills:

• 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

Instructor Contact Information