University of Maine at Farmington 2007-2008 Catalog
 
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Early Childhood Education
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Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education Program is designed to prepare pre-professionals to work with young children from birth to age eight and their families.  The program is based upon the National Association for the Education of Young Children personnel standards for teacher preparation and is NCATE accredited. Majors completing the program are eligible for jobs in a variety of settings in early care and education including: child care, Head Start, pre-kindergarten, community and recreational programs. Majors who choose to complete the Praxis I and II exams may be eligible for the Maine teacher endorsement 029, Teacher of Early Childhood, K-3.  The K-3 option is a program of study that leads to both the Bachelors degree and a teaching certificate.

 

The ECH program involves building a knowledge base in child development as well as multiple experiences that combine theory and practice through relevant coursework and extensive experience in early care and education settings.   Practical experiences in settings are continuous and linked to curriculum courses. Students utilize campus resources such as the Sweatt-Winter Child Care Center, UMF Nursery School and Pre-Kindergarten, the UMF Infant-Toddler Programs, the Children's Literature Book Room, the Assistive Technology Center, as well as community programs serving children and families. 

 

Students may choose among three options. The standard program, or Early Childhood Education: Non-Certification option, prepares students for work with young children and their families across a range of early childhood settings. Alternatively, students may elect to enroll in additional courses leading to an additional teaching endorsement. The Birth through 5 Certification option leads to ME Teacher Certification  (081 Endorsement) which allows graduates to teach in a variety of early childhood settings, including inclusive pre-kindergarten classrooms located in public schools. The K-3 Certification option leads to ME Teacher Certification (029 Endorsement in Early Elementary), preparing graduates to teach in inclusive classrooms from kindergarten to third grade.

 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

For essential requirement information about PRAXIS, student
teaching, and graduation, see 
Early Childhood General Information on Requirements

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NON- CERTIFICATION Option: 

Entry Level Professional Courses

ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 192 Introductory Practicum and Seminar in

        Early Childhood Education                    4

        

 

               

Mid-Level Professional Courses

 

ECH 201 Language Development, Early Literacy and

        Children's Literature*                       6

ECH 293 Intermediate Seminar and Practicum in

        Early Childhood Education                    4

ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care   4

ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the

        Young Child*                                 4

ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child*          4

ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in

        Young Children*                              4

ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children*        4

        

 

Advanced Level Professional Courses

ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 490 Internship in Early Childhood

        Education                            4, 6 or 8       

                                                     

Electives: Choose two (8 credits)

 

ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood Programs   4

ECH 420 Planning Environments for Young Children     4

ECH 430 Theories of Learning and Curriculum

        Development                                  4

ECH 440 Children, Families and Communities           4

ECH 477 Special Topics in Early Childhood  

        Education                               2 or 4 

 

Credits for the Major:                              54

*indicates professional curriculum course

 

 

 

Other Requirements

PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development            4

ANY course in Early Childhood Special Education      4

 

Subtotal:                                            8

 

Total credits for the Major:                                                                                     62

 

Minor/Specialization:  Students choosing the Non-Certification option develop an area of specialization through a minimum of 16 credits of coursework across disciplines.  Possible specializations include, but are not limited to, the study of schools, working with families, infants and toddlers, or international perspectives on children and families.  Students should consult with their advisors in developing their specializations and selecting a set of courses that promotes their professional interests. Alternatively, students may elect to pursue an established minor at UMF.

 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: Birth through 5 Certification Option

Entry Level Professional Courses

ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 192 Introductory Practicum and Seminar in

        Early Childhood Education                    4

                   

Mid-Level Professional Courses

ECH 201 Language Development, Early Literacy and

        Children's Literature*                       6

ECH 293 Intermediate Practicum and Seminar in

        Early Childhood Education                    4

ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and Care   4

ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the

        Young Child*                                 4

ECH 232 Social Science for the Young Child*          4

ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in

        Young Children*                              4

ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children*        4

 

Advanced Level Professional Courses

ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 490 Internship in Early Childhood

        Education                           4, 6, or 8           

                                                    

Electives: Choose two (8 credits)

ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood Programs   4

ECH 420 Planning Environments for Young Children     4

ECH 430 Theories of Learning and Curriculum

        Development                                  4

ECH 440 Children, Families and Communities           4

ECH 477 Special Topics in Early Childhood

        Education                               2 or 4

 

Credits for the Major:                              54

*indicates professional curriculum course

 

 

Other Requirements

PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development            4

ANY course in Early Childhood Special Education      4

 

Subtotal:                                            8

                                                                                              

Total credits for the Major:                        62

 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:  K-3 Option

Entry Level Professional Courses

ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 192 Introductory Practicum or

ECH 293 Intermediate Seminar and Practicum in Early

        Childhood Education                          4                                                                               

 

Mid-Level Professional Courses

ECH 232 Social Science for Young Children*           4

ECH 256 Creative Arts and Technology for the

        Young Child*                                 4

ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development and

        Care                                         4

ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts in

        Young Children*                              4

ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children*        4

 

Advanced Level Professional Experiences Required

ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early

        Childhood Education                          4

ECH 460 Student Teaching and Seminar in Early

        Childhood Education K-3                     16

 

Electives:  Choose two (8 credits)

ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood

        Programs                                     4

ECH 420 Planning Environments for Young Children     4

ECH 430 Theories of Learning and Curriculum

        Development                                  4

ECH 440 Children, Families and Communities           4

ECH 477 Special Topics in Early Childhood

        Education                               2 or 4

 

Credits for the Major:                              56

*indicates professional curriculum course

 

Other Requirements

 

PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development            4

EDU 202 Practicum and Seminar in K-8 Education       4

SED 360 Teaching Exceptional Students in the

        Regular Classroom                            4

EDU 433 Reading, Language Arts and Children's

        Literature for K-3*                          6  

 

Subtotal:                                           18

 

Total credits for the Major:                        74

 

 

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the  General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE:         128

See other years' Catalogs