Early Childhood: A.A.S.

Associate in Applied Science

CIP CODE: 19.0708

The Early Childhood program leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree and is designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment or to enhance the skills and advancement opportunities of those already employed.

Some Early Childhood Education courses may meet requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials.  ECE 110 - Introduction to Early Education (3 credits), ECE 175 - Techniques of Observation and Evaluation (3 credits), and ECE 120 - Curriculum Development (3 credits) are recommended.

A certificate in Early Childhood may be awarded with successful completion of the first two semesters of coursework.

Teacher Certification transfer students should enroll as Liberal Arts: General Studies - Education (LAGS EDU) students for an A.S.degree.

Some Early Childhood Education courses may transfer for those seeking early childhood teacher certification. Verify with transfer institution.

SEQUENCE OF COURSES: This model is a two-year course schedule for students meeting all program requirements and deciding to pursue full-time study. Schedules will be redesigned for those requiring preparatory courses or those deciding to pursue part-time study.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain the history, philosophy and ethics of early childhood and elementary education.
2. Describe child development and learning theories relevent to young children and how they relate to children’s develoment and learning.
3. Apply and evaluate developmentally appropriate practice in accordance with various ages and stages of development.
4. Demonstrate a proficiency in various formal and informal assessment methods used to document children’s development (EX: anecdotals, checklists, running records, time samples, frequency counts, work samples).
5. Interpret observations and evaluate children’s social, physical, literacy, intellectual, creative and emotional development for developmentally appropriate practice.
6. Identify common developmental delays and four types of child abuse.
7. Produce a comprehensive child study that demonstrates knowledge of child development with appropriate curriculum recommendations that are documented with actual observation recordings.
8. Communicate a professional and positive disposition in all coursework related experiences.
9. Recognize the ecological relationships that exist between family, community and curriculum as they relate to children’s development and learning.
10. Evaluate and implement best practices when teaching young children.
11. Communicate effectively.
12. Collaborate constructively with peers.
13. Demonstrate competence in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum in a supervised field experience.

14. Act ethically and practice professionalism in all coursework related experiences.

15. Classify and explore current issues in early childhood education and their impact on children, families and society.

Program supervised by:
Lisa Strahley, Chairperson
Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education Department
Office: Titchener Hall, Room 210
Telephone: 607 778-5029
Email: strahleyla@sunybroome.edu