Early Childhood B.A. Concentration in Special Education

1. Promoting Child Development and Learning: Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program build a research-based understanding of child development and learning in the context of a Biblical worldview of early education. They use their understanding and knowledge of the young learner’s characteristics, needs, and multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, challenging, and Christ-honoring for each child.

2. Building Family and Community Relationships:  Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program understand that successful early childhood education depends upon partnerships with children’s families and communities.  They know about, understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower parents in their God-given role as their child’s primary educator, and to involve all families in their child’s development and learning. They introduce families to the Church community and other community resources to provide support and spiritual guidance.

3. Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families. Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. They know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic observation, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies responsibly, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development and learning of every child, uniquely created by God.

4. Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families. Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program understand that teaching and learning with young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on children’s ages, characteristics, and the settings within which teaching and learning occur. They understand and use Christ-honoring relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children and families. They know, understand and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families to promote each child’s learning and development from a Biblical worldview, giving evidence of Christ’s love for each child and family.

5. Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum. Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program use their knowledge of academic disciplines and learning in the context of a Biblical worldview to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote Christ-honoring development and learning for each and every young child, uniquely created by God in His image. Students understand the importance of developmental domains and academic (or content) disciplines in early childhood curriculum. They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas, including academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding. Students use their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging, and Christ-honoring curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every young child.

6. Becoming a Professional. Students prepared in the Early Childhood Education degree program identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood education profession. They know and use Biblical principles, ethical guidelines, and other professional standards related to early childhood education practice. They demonstrate Christ-like behavior, honoring young children and the institution of the family. They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources, in accordance with Biblical principles. They are informed advocates for sound educational practices and policies for the benefit of the children and for the glory of God.

General Educational Core Requirements37
Early Childhood Major Requirements27
Special Education Concentration 12
General Education Electives44
Total Units120

Early Childhood Major Requirements

ECED Major Core Requirements:
ECED-300Classroom Management and Guiding the Young Child's Behavior3
ECED-301Infant and Toddler: Development and Theory3
ECED-316STEM/STEAM: Math for the Young Child3
ECED-322STEM/STEAM: Science for the Young Child3
ECED-327STEM/STEAM: Arts and Creative Learning for the Young Child3
ECED-405Advanced Curriculum Design and Development in Early Childhood Education3
ECED-430Lang/Lit for Young Child Multicultural Communities3
ECED-460Advanced Practicum I3
ECED-499Capstone for Early Childhood Education3
Total Units27

 Special Education Concentration Requirements

Emphasis Requirements 1
ECED-305The Exceptional Child and the Inclusive Classroom3
ECED-306Exceptional Children: Teaching Language Arts, Math and Science for Students With Severe Disabilities3
ECED-420Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis: Autism3
ECED-425Functional Assessment and Evaluation for Exceptional Learners3
Total Units12
1

Students enrolled in the Early Childhood program may choose to obtain a special education emphasis in their degree program.  Courses may be counted as elective courses for the Early Childhood Major Core Requirement.

A year-round course sequence calendar for all Early Childhood Education coursework can be found on the B.A. in Early Childhood Courses Sequences tab.