AS in Early Childhood Development

The goal of the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Development is to graduate competent, caring, and qualified teachers for public and private childcare settings. An excellent alternative for students who desire to work with young children beyond babysitting, but do not desire a four-year education degree, the program integrates a Christian worldview and constructivist philosophy of education. Coursework from this program can be applied toward other OCU education programs. Preschool teachers play an important role in developing children’s interest in learning. Through activities like games, group play, artwork and music, preschool teachers instruct reading, writing, and basic math concepts, and encourage creativity and social interaction. Pre-service teachers and candidates for the AS in Early Childhood Development Certificate must demonstrate these dispositions:

• Ability to meet deadlines and obligations
• Ability to relate with children and parents
• Collaboration
• Communicative skills both oral and written
• Creativity
• Patience
• Positive temperament
• Preparation
• Punctuality
• Respect for all students

Objectives:

Upon graduation the pre-service teacher should possess:

• Knowledge of young children’s characteristics and needs, from birth through age 5.
• Knowledge of multiple influences on early development and learning.
• Knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.
• Know and understand effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology.
• The ability to reflect on their practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.
• An understanding of positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with young children.
• The ability to use a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches.

MAJOR27 Hours

• ECE1470 Educational Technology3
  See EDU1470
• ECE2020 Introduction to Early Childhood Development3
  Introduction to the principles and philosophy of education in public, private and Christian pre-schools.
• ECE2040 Teaching Literature and Writing for Young Children3
  See EDU2040
• ECE2110 Math Theory for Early Childhood3
  See EDU2110
• ECE2180 Teaching Art in Early Childhood3
  See EDU2180
• ECE2500 Teaching the Exceptional Child3
  See EDU2500
• ECE3110 Teaching Music in Early Childhood3
  See EDU3110
• MAT1310 Intermediate Algebra (Mathematics Elective )*3
  Rational expressions, systems of linear equations and inequalities, radicals and exponents, quadric functions, conic sections, and exponential functions. Students must have foundational knowledge of linear equations and polynomials.

  Prerequisite: MAT0960 or ACT math score of 19 or higher
• PSY2130 Child Development3
  Child development as a dynamic, challenging, complex and multifaceted area of inquiry that supports and guides professional practices toward children. Developmental theory and research from pre-birth to the end of childhood, emotional, language and cognitive development, family and environmental influences, and relationships and gender roles. Application of course content to professional roles.

  Prerequisite: PSY1020

*Students may count this course as a Mathematics elective in the General Education Core.