Academic Catalog - Early Childhood Education

ECE 101 / ECE 1011 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 Credits
Provides an introduction to Early Childhood Education. Includes the eight key areas of professional knowledge: Child Growth and Development; Health, Nutrition and Safety; Developmentally Appropriate Practices; Guidance; Family and Community Relationships; Diversity; Professionalism; Administration and Supervision. Focuses on ages birth through age 8. (Contact hours – 45)

ECE 102 / ECE 1045 – Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Techniques 3 Credits
Focuses on a classroom seminar and placement in a child care setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe children, to practice appropriate interactions, and to develop effective guidance and management techniques. Addresses ages birth through age 8. (Contact hours – 60)
Prerequisites or Corequisites: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction into Early Childhood Education and ECE 103 / ECE1031 Guidance Strategies for the Young Child

ECE 103 / ECE 1031- Guidance Strategies for Young Children 3 Credits
Explores guidance theories, applications, goals, techniques and factors that influence expectations, classroom management issues, and prosocial skills. Addresses ages birth through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 111 / ECE 1111 – Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice 3 Credits
Presents an overview of theories, applications (including observations), and issues pertinent to infant and toddler development in group and/or family settings. Includes state requirements for licensing, health, safety and nutrition. Focuses on birth through age three.
(Contact hours – 45)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 112 / ECE 1125 – Intro to Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques 3 Credits
Includes a classroom seminar and placement in an infant and\or toddler setting. The supervised placement provides the student with the opportunity to observe, to practice appropriate interactions and to develop effective guidance and nurturing techniques with infants and\or toddlers. Addresses ages prenatal through age 2.
(Contact hours – 60)
Corequisites: ECE 111 / ECE 1111 Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice and ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 125/ ECE 2661 – Science/Math & the Young Child 3 Credits
Examines theories of cognitive development as a framework for conceptualizing the way young children acquire scientific and mathematical skills, concepts, and abilities. Enables students to research and develop appropriate individual and group scientific/mathematical activities for young children.
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 157 / ECE 1571 – Family Dynamics 1 Credit
Enables the student to understand and develop partnerships with families who have children with special needs. Introduces the concept of family systems, the impact of children with special needs upon the family system, and the role of the paraeductor in collaborating with families of diverse cultural, socio-economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 161 / ECE 1611 – The Team Process 1 Credit
Enables the student to work effectively in team situations. Covers the interpersonal aspects of working in a team as well as specific skills in establishing good working relationships among personnel with differing roles and responsibilities.
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 188 / ECE 1088 – Practicum: ECE 0 -12 Credits
Provides students with field experience in early childhood programs.
Prerequisite or Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 205 / ECE 2051 – Nutrition, Health and Safety 3 Credits
Focuses on nutrition, health and safety as a key factor for optimal growth and development of young children. Includes nutrient knowledge, menu planning, food program participation, health practices, management and safety, appropriate activities and communication with families. Addresses ages from prenatal through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 209 / ECE 2061 – Obs/Assess of Young Children 1 Credit
Provides a foundational understanding of the observation and assessment of young children’s development and learning environments. This course also examines the current research on the continuous practice of observing and assessing children’s development and incorporates practice with a variety of assessment instruments, particularly evidence-based and authentic assessment.
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 220 / ECE 2621 – Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques 3 Credits
Provides an overview of early childhood curriculum development. Includes processes for planning and implementing developmentally appropriate environments, materials and experiences, and quality in early childhood programs. Focuses on ages birth through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisites: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and ECE 238 / ECE 2381 ECE Child Growth and Development

ECE 225 / ECE 2631 – Language and Cognition for the Young Child 3 Credits
Examines theories of cognitive and language development as a framework for conceptualizing the way children acquire thinking skills. Includes observing, planning, facilitating, creative representation, and evaluating strategies within the context of play. Focuses on language, science, math, problem solving and logical thinking.
(Contact hours – 45)
Addresses ages birth through age 8.
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 226 / ECE 2641 – Creativity and the Young Child 3 Credits
Provides an emphasis on encouraging and supporting creative self expression and problem solving skills in children. Explores creative learning theories and research. Focuses on developmentally appropriate curriculum strategies in all developmental domains. Addresses ages birth through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: ECE 1011

ECE 228 / ECE 2651 – Early Language and Literacy 3 Credits
Presents strategies for optimum language development, literacy, social and emotional development. Supports children’s language and literacy in home, classroom, and community settings. Provides appropriate teacher/child verbal interactions, classroom environments, and activities. Addresses ages birth through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 238 / ECE 2381 – Child Growth and Development 3 credits
Covers the growth and development of the child from conception through the elementary school years. Emphasizes physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional domains and the concept of the whole child as well as how adults can provide a supportive environment through teaming and collaboration.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 240 / ECE 2401 – Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs 3 Credits
Examines Colorado’s licensing requirements, as well as quality standards pertaining to the operation of programs for young children. Focuses on the director’s administrative skills and role as a community advocate for young children. Addresses ages birth through age 12.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 241 / ECE 2411 – Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Education 3 Credits
Focuses on the human relations component of an early childhood professional’s responsibilities. Includes director-staff relationships, staff development, leadership strategies, parent-professional partnerships, and community interaction.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 256 / ECE 2101 – Working with Families and Communities 3 Credits
Examines professional attitudes related to working with diverse families and how unconscious bias may affect family-professional partnerships in early care and education settings. This course covers theoretical perspectives of families and communities, communication strategies, and an exploration of activities and resources to support family engagement in their children’s education. Supporting equity and inclusion of all family cultures in early care and education settings for children ages birth through eight.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 260 / ECE 2601 – The Exceptional Child 3 Credits
Presents an overview of critical elements related to educating young children with disabilities in the early childhood setting. Topics include the following: typical and atypical development, legal requirements, research based practices related to inclusion, teaming and collaboration, and accommodations and adaptations. Student will learn how a disability will impact a young child’s learning process. Focus of the course is on birth through age 8.
(Contact hours – 45)
Corequisites: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and ECE 238 / 2381 ECE Child Growth and Development

ECE 288 / ECE 2088 – Practicum: Early Childhood Education 3 Credits
Provides students with advanced field experience opportunities in early childhood education programs.
(Contact hours – 135)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

ECE 289 / ECE 2089 – Capstone: Early Childhood Education 3 Credits
Incorporates a demonstrated culmination of learning within a given program of study.
(Contact hours – 135)
Corequisite: ECE 101 / ECE 1011 Introduction to Early Childhood Education