Course Descriptions
Child Studies Course Descriptions
CHS111
Foundations of Early Childhood Education - 3 Credits
This course provides an overview of the theoretical models that have a significant influence on the development of various early childhood curricula. A historical perspective of early childhood education is provided, leading up to an including present-day practices. Students will learn to apply theory to practice within the classroom setting for children ages' birth through eight, including children with exceptionalities. Ethical issues in the Early Childhood setting will be explored.
CHS113
Infant-Toddler Care and Assessment - 3 Credits
This course studies children's developmental stages from birth through age two. Principles of curriculum design, assessment and implementation for this age group are examined in concordance with theories of infant-toddler learning and development.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS115
Movement and Music - 3 Credits
This course introduces students to the foundations of music and movement as it is used in the early childhood classroom. Students learn basic concepts of music theory and movement theory within the context of child development and curriculum planning.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS199
Practicum I - 3 credits
TThis course provides students with practical experiences in an early childhood education setting. Students are required to spend 15 hours per semester in seminar sessions and to assist in an early care and education classroom for 100 hours. Students must demonstrate competency in providing a safe and healthy learning environment that enables young children to develop physical, cognitive and communication skills.
Prerequisite: CHS111 or permission from the ECE Academic Program Manager
CHS201
Creative Activities - 3 Credits
This course covers the development of young children's art. Developmentally appropriate means of facilitating creative abilities for diverse groups through painting, drawing, clay, collage, and construction are examined.
Prerequisite: CHS111 or ECE Academic Program Manager.
Studio fee required.
CHS203
Children's Literature and Language Arts - 3 Credits
This course is designed to acquaint students with many literature genres beginning with storytelling and including genre such as folk and multicultural literature, fantasy, poetry, biographies and more. The course explores the use of technology in educational settings and lesson plans for literacy.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS208
Teaching the Exceptional Child - 3 Credits
This course provides information about the exceptional learner. Topics include: history / philosophy/ laws of educating exceptional learners (including English Language Learners), characteristics of the exceptional child, assessment tools, instructional planning and teaching using individualized strategies with complementary techniques and technologies, home / school /community resources and inclusion.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS250
Math, Science & Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom - 3 Credits
This course introduces students to curriculum strategies to be used with young children to promote their mathematical and scientific abilities. Additionally, it will provide instruction on how to incorporate technology into the early childhood classroom. Attention is given to the developmental needs of the children and the developmental appropriateness of the lessons.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS252
Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom - 3 Credits
This course introduces teachers of young children to a variety of standards-based social studies themes and strategies that promote social awareness, and interpersonal skills. This course will encourage students to examine the ways in which the classroom environment and the world outside the classroom affect learning. Concepts in ethnicity, family and community, multiculturalism and diversity are explored. Curriculum planning for young children with a wide variety of needs and abilities will be addressed.
Prerequisite: CHS111 and permission from your Academic Advisor or ECE Academic Program ManagerCHS111
CHS254
Health, Safety and Nutrition - 3 Credits
This course explores the issues of health, safety and nutrition in relation to the normal growth and development of young children. Emphasis is placed on the recognition and measurement of normal growth patterns, principles of good nutrition, hygiene, health maintenance and illness prevention. Understanding cultural issues and special needs of individual children are addressed as aspects of health and safety.
Prerequisite: CHS111
CHS298
Practicum II - 3 Credits
This course is a continuation of CHS 199 and provides students with practical experiences in early childhood education. Students are required to spend 15 hours per semester in seminar sessions and to assist in an early care and education classroom for 100 hours. Students must demonstrate mastery of the core competency areas of creative development, self, social, guidance, families and professionalism when planning activities for young children.
Prerequisite: CHS 111 and CHS 199 and permission from your Academic Advisor and the ECE Academic Program Manager
CHS299
Practicum - 3 Credits
This course provides students with practical experiences in early childhood education. Students participate each week in seminars and assist in their professional area (in infant/toddler or K-3 inclusive settings – if Practicum I & Practicum II were in preschool settings) for 100 hours. Students must demonstrate competencies in planning and carrying out appropriate lessons to promote young children’s cognitive, creative, language, andliteracy, social and emotional development. Students will use local, state and national standards as the basis of their work..
Prerequisite: CHS111, CHS199, CHS298 and Permission of their Academic Advisor and ECE Academic Program Manager.
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CHS307
Administration of Child Care Programs - 3 Credits
This course examines the role of the childcare administrator with respect to management duties, which include financial planning, state regulations, curriculum and staff development, nutritional responsibilities, and parent and community relations.
Prerequisite: CHS111, 9 credits in CHS or ECE Academic Program Manager.
CHS320
Emergent Literacy - 3 Credits
This course details early language, literacy and development of the young child. Students will learn to plan and integrate appropriate cross-curricular language and literacy activities for all types of learners, including children with exceptionalities. Attention is given to understanding, encouraging and supporting local and global communities, diversity and families; and English Language Learners. Students will gain knowledge in the six areas of language and literacy development and how to utilize the classroom environment to foster literacy. Adaptation of curricular materials for the exceptional learner and culturally diverse student is incorporated. Students will construct and implement lesson plans based on language and literacy assessments.
Prerequisite: ENG/CHS203 or permission of the instructor.
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CHS425
Curriculum Approaches in Early Childhood Education - 3 Credits
This course will explore developmentally appropriate approaches to early childhood curriculum development. It will addresses cross-curricular methods of teaching in the early years of childhood based on developmental stages and levels of the children, incorporating observation and individualization while planning for a larger group. Students will explore play-based curriculum, and other developmentally appropriate curriculum approaches to early childhood education. As with all of our courses, the NAEYC standards related to developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum and teaching strategies are imbedded.
Prerequisite: CHS111, 9 credits in Early Childhood & permission from your Academic Advisor or ECE Academic Program Manager
CHS450
Observations , Assessment and Individualization - 3 Credits
This course provides students with a broad overview of assessments of and for young children ages birth through age 8. Students are required to spend 15 hours per semester/module to observe children across all developmental domains. Students will demonstrate competency in observation skills as they relate to ongoing assessment and meeting the individual needs of the children and group lesson planning. Utilization of the State of CT Benchmarks, Performance Standards and CT Preschool Assessment Framework will be incorporated into this course work.
Prerequisite: Permission Advisor/ECE Academic Program Manager.
CHS490
Capstone: Field Experience - 6 Credits
This course consists of 15 hours of seminar and a minimum of 200 hours of supervised field work. Seminar hours will address classroom management and design: integrating teaching methods, principles of curriculum development and evaluations, designing the classroom setting and methods for handling students' behavior in a cohesive, well managed educational program, adapting to diverse populations and integrated learning; communicating with parents, working as a team, ethical conduct; as well as issues and topics that arise from the students experience. Within the 200 hours of field work, students will demonstrate their ability to apply child development theory, to manage a classroom, plan, organize and implement daily routines and activities independently, as well as work as part of a team.
Prerequisite: Completion of all Child Studies major course work and permission of ECE Academic Program Manager.