ECED 407: Supporting Early Learning in the Preschool Years

Course Outline (Online 3.0 credits)

This course is part of the BC ECE Assistant Certificate Program

EVALUATION

Assignment 1: Weekly Responses to Readings and Discussion Board Participation
Assignment 2: Designing an Early Childhood Environment
Assignment 3: Final Paper

This course is eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. To determine whether you can take this course for Credit/D/Fail grading, visit the Credit/D/Fail website. You must register in the course before you can select the Credit/D/Fail grading option.

DESCRIPTION

Planning and implementing pre-Kindergarten learning experiences: resources, materials, curriculum integration, evaluation, scheduling and classroom design. (UBC Calendar)

This online course will explore the breadth of research on early childhood pedagogy, and examine the importance of recognizing and celebrating young children’s knowledge and expertise in the early childhood context. This course will also delve into the significant role the environment plays in children’s learning, and address the following concepts: indoor and outdoor learning spaces, the incorporation of natural materials in the classroom, the integration of different areas of learning in the early childhood context, and the notion of project-based thinking in preschool settings.

ECED 407 is a core course for the Minor in Education – Early Childhood Education and the BC ECE Basic Certificate Program. This online course is an elective for the Certificate in Early Years Education and the Diploma in Early Years Education.

OBJECTIVES

To develop an understanding of:

  • Children as Active Learners
  • Children’s Holistic Development and Learning
  • The Importance of Relationships in Children’s Worlds
  • The Significance of Co-Creating Stimulating and Dynamic Early Childhood Environments with Young Children

OUTLINE

This course is offered online on Canvas – http://canvas.ubc.ca

MODULE TOPIC
1 The Multiple Networks of the Child: examines the different worlds of the child, and explores the role family members, community members, and friends play as influencers and supporters in children’s learning and development.
2 Building Relationships in the Classroom: explores the role of friendships and relationship-building in early childhood classrooms.
3 The Early Learning Environment: highlights the importance of creating early childhood spaces for young children that support all aspects of their development and growth.
4 The Daily Structure in the Early Childhood Classroom: takes into account active and reflective times, child-initiated and educator-framed learning activities, and indoor and outdoor experiences.
5 The Outdoor Space and the Incorporation of Natural Materials: examines the potential of outdoor spaces in children’s learning and development, and the multiple ways that the natural environment can be used and transformed for outdoor climbing, nesting or socializing; explores the significant place natural materials can occupy in the early childhood classroom.
6 Ordinary Moments: introduces the notion of ‘ordinary moments’ in early childhood classrooms. An ordinary moment is based on an observation of a child or children exploring new ideas and experiences. The examination of these moments provides an opportunity for critical reflection for educators and children.
7 Peer Mentorship and Young Children: highlights the notion of children co-constructing knowledge together in meaningful ways.
8 Children and Educators as Researchers: explores the different ways young children and educators can reflect on their learning, which can in turn, inform and ‘transform’ the development of culturally-relevant early childhood pedagogy.
9 Project Based Thinking: examines how project-based learning encourages rich experiences and deep thinking about a topic or area of interest in children’s worlds.
10 The Integrated Approach: discusses the importance of weaving different concepts, such as mathematical concepts or links to science, in authentic and fluid ways in children’s learning experiences.
11 Leadership in Early Childhood Education: reflects on the importance of cultivating a ‘culture of leadership’ among early childhood educators in the field of early childhood education.
12 Reflection: a discussion of the significant ideas that have resonated with you or transformed your thinking on early childhood education.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIAL

Call the UBC Bookstore to order: 604.822.2665, or toll-free in North America: 1.800.661.3889 or

Order online: http://shop.bookstore.ubc.ca/courselistbuilder.aspx

  • Curtis, Deb and Carter, Margie. Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments Second Edition. Redleaf Press., 2014 ISBN: 9781605543727

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

This is an online course. Students are required to have a computer, access to the Internet, and a Campus Wide Login ID and password to access the course website.

LIBRARY RESOURCES: Connect From Home

Your EZproxy connection will allow you to access library resources from your computer on or off campus. For more information, go to https://services.library.ubc.ca/electronic-access/connect/

MORE INFORMATION

Telephone: 604.822.2013, or toll-free in North America: 1.888.492.1122
Email: eced.educ@ubc.ca

Latest Revision on: November 5, 2019

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