Early Childhood Education

Department: Early Childhood Education

Chairperson:
Cynthia Valenciano

Faculty:
Jean Murphy
Sureshrani Paintal
Patricia Steinhaus

Degree(s)/Certification(s):
M.S. Ed. in Early Childhood Education
M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education
+ State of Illinois Type 04 Certificate (Birth to Grade 3)

Content Designations:

ECH

The Early Childhood Education program offers a degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education. The program provides the experienced teacher an opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills in teaching and thereby improve his/her effectiveness in the classroom. The option in Early Childhood Education meets the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Completion of the Master of Science in Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an option in Early Childhood Education does not lead to teacher certification by entitlement.

The department offers two options for a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Early Childhood Education. Option one provides individuals with a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education the opportunity to earn a master’s degree and an initial teacher certificate. Completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Early Childhood Education qualifies students for the (Type 04) State of Illinois Initial Early Childhood Certificate; certification requires successful completion of the Illinois Certification Tests of Basic Skills, Early Childhood, and Assessment of Professional Teaching (Early Childhood, Birth to Grade 3). Option two is also available to previously certified teachers who wish to earn a subsequent certificate.

General Requirements

Admission to the program is contingent upon good academic standing and acceptance by the department.
Graduation requirements include a minimum of half the student’s course work completed at the 5000-level, successful completion of written and oral examinations, and successful completion of a professional portfolio and thesis.
Admission to the College of Education, which includes successful completion of the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills, is required prior to registration in any professional education courses other than ED 2000/5000; ED 5312; PSYC 5830; PE 2040; BIL 5150, 5100; & S ED 5301.
All master’s degree requirements must be completed within six years.
Note : Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions or adherence to higher expectations are noted in program documentation .

The Master of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Admission Requirements

Applicants intending to apply to the early childhood – primary education program must:

submit proof of successful completion of Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills;
provide transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0;
present a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate;
present written recommendations from two school administrators and /or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work;

In addition, applicants for the ECH-P MSED with BIL Approval option must demonstrate proficiency in the second language to be taught.

Note: All candidates in the MSED/Early Childhood Education degree must complete the following courses by the end of the first year of their program: ECH 5001, 5020, 5150, 5170.

Early Childhood - Primary Education Option

Specific Requirements

Required Core Courses / 9 credit hours

ECH 5270, 5320, 5970.

Required Professional Early Childhood Courses / 18 credit hours

ECH 4850, 5250, 5280, 5440, ECEE 5462, Read 5230.

Elective Course / 3 credit hours

One course selected in consultation with graduate advisor.

Thesis Option / 3 credit hours

ECEE 5466

Non-Thesis Option / 6 credit hours

Two courses selected in consultation with graduate advisor.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education

Admission Requirements

Applicants intending to apply to the Master’s of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education program must:

submit proof of successful completion of Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills;
provide transcript(s) as evidence of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;
demonstrate that the final 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate courses demonstrate a minimum G.P.A. of 2.75;
demonstrate completion of 18 credit hours of coursework beyond the introductory level and at the 2000 level or above in an approved undergraduate major with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 and a minimum grade of C.
submit proof that undergraduate coursework meets a minimum grade of C threshold in the following general education requirements:

Three credit hours in each of composition II, speech, college level mathematics, biological science, physical science (at least one science course must include a laboratory.
Nine credit hours from at least two disciplines in the humanities– fine arts (art, music, theater), foreign language, literature, philosophy.
Nine credit hours in the following social sciences – U.S. history or American national government; child and adolescent psychology; and one course from history, geography, economics, political science, anthropology, psychology, or sociology.
One course incorporating multicultural or global perspectives.

present a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate;
present written recommendations from two school administrators and /or supervisors familiar with the applicant’s work.

In addition, applicants for the ECH-P MSED with BIL Approval option must demonstrate proficiency in the second language to be taught

Specific Requirements

Required Courses 57 credit hours.

ECH 3920, 5001, 5008*, 5009*, 4150*, 4170, 4180*, 5319*, 5020, 5120* 5270**, 5320, 5650, 5970; ED 5312, 5485*; READ 5230*; SED 4301 and 4303*.

* Restricted to students admitted to the College of Education.

** Certification in Early Childhood Education can be obtained before completing ECH 5970.

Additional Requirements

Passing score on Illinois Certification Content Area Test (107). Students must submit proof of passing the certification test to the department office and to the office of Field Placement before they will be allowed to student teach. In addition, all candidates must pass the Assessment of Professional Teaching (APT) Certification Test (101) before completing student teaching.

Subsequent Certificate Option

Admissions Requirements

Initial, Standard, or Master Illinois Teacher Certificate;
Passing score report on Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills;
Three months of teaching experience as a certified teacher;
GPA of 2.75 in last 60 hours towards the bachelor’s degree at time of admission to Master’s Degree Program;
Secondary and K-12 Programs only – equivalent of a major in the teaching area.

Prerequisites: Course work equivalent to: S ED 4301; S ED 4303 and ED 5312 or passing score on the APT.

Required Courses (for certification and MAT): 32-35 semester hours

ECH 5001, 5009, 5150, 5170, 5180, 5319, 5020, 5120, 5320 or their equivalents at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Clinical Experiences: 70 required field hours in courses or ECEE 5462-summer field experience course.

Additional requirements for Master’s Degree:

ECH 5970, ECEE 5466 (thesis option) or 6 semester hours of electives at the 5000-level (non-thesis option), comprehensive examinations.

Early Childhood Education (ECH) Course Offerings

5000 FOUNDATIONS FOR INSTRUCTION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Pass English placement examination.

Instructional strategies and styles formulation of instructional objectives, lesson planning, unit development, and assessment techniques in early childhood. Writing emphasis course.

5001 HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: ED 1520

Historical and philosophical foundations underlying the development and organization of early childhood education in the United States. Contemporary influences on early childhood education programs.

5008 CREATIVE EXPERIENCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION /FIELD (3)

Prerequisite: ART 4400, MUS 1134; ECH 5002 and admission to the College of Education.

Methods and techniques for providing creative experiences in the classroom and integrating literature, music and art activities in programs for young children. Fifteen hours of field experience per term.

5009 SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (3)

Prerequisite: ECH 5002 and admission to the College of Education.

Understanding of language acquisition and development. Emphasis on methods used to facilitate language development.

5020 THE YOUNG CHILD/FIELD (3)

Prerequisite: Graduate status or consent of department.

Principles and concepts of development and learning in children ages 0-8, including integration of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Emphasis on theories of and current issues in child development and on an understanding and involvement in professional development activities. Fifteen hours of field observation are required. Credit not given for both ECH 402 and ECH 302G.

5120 READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS FOR THE YOUNG CHILD /4/ FIELD (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Education or consent of department.

Theories, methods, and materials for facilitating and supporting reading and language arts, writing and spelling in primary classrooms. Fifteen hours of tutoring required. Credit not given for one ECH 412, or ECH 312 G or ECH 5120.

5150 CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP (3)

Prerequisite: ECH 5020 and admission to the College of Education or admission to MSED program in early childhood.

Family patterns and their influences on the child. Parent-school relationship and parent education. Community influences and resources.

5170 NUTRITION, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE YOUNG CHILD (3)

Health and safety concerns of young children in an institutional setting with emphasis on providing nutrition, health, and safety education to young children. Cannot receive credit for both ECH 316 and ECH 5170.

5180 METHODS OF INSTRUCTIONAT THE PRE-PRIMARYLEVEL/FIELD (4)

Prerequisite: ECH 5002 or consent of the department and admission to the College of Education.

Methods and materials for teaching mathematics, science, and social studies at the pre-primary level. Twenty clock hours of tutoring per term.

5220 ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION OF CHILD CARE SERVICES (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

For teachers and administrators of programs for young children. Models of programs for young children, scheduling, staffing, record-keeping, standards, licensing practices, building and budget needs. Parent-teacher (home-school) relationship and cooperation.

5240 CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

Developmental theories of early childhood and their implications for school practice in pre-kindergarten and in primary programs. Observations in a variety of settings.

5250 CONTEMPORARY INFLUENCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates, ECH 5020 or equivalent.

The nature of early learning, current controversies and research. Montessori and Piagetian theories and practices.

5270 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates.

Consideration of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development as well as other theories of the development of intelligence in the young child. Consideration of the implications of these theories for curricular materials and practices in school settings from pre-kindergarten through the early elementary years.

5280 SEMINAR: A MULTIDISCIPLINARYAPPROACH IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates.

Child development as seen by other fields and other professionals: nutritionists, psychologists, sociologists, geneticists, etc. Concepts such as behavior modification, operant conditioning, sex, role behavior, aggression, modeling and identification; diagnosing, prescribing and evaluating teaching and learning in early childhood.

5304 INFANT/TODDLER DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAMMING (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 2040 or consent of Department.

Development from conception through toddlerhood to age three. Emphasis on study of developmental domains in cultural context: perceptual, motor, cognitive (including brain), language, mental health, temperament, and social-emotional. Examination of systems which influence the continuum of healthy growth and development that impact programming. Integration of age-appropriate curricula and assessment.

5310 LITERATURE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of department.

Designed to acquaint the teacher of young children with the wide variety of available literature and its many uses in the pre-kindergarten and primary years.

5319 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL FIELD/ (4)

Prerequisite: ECH 5002 or consent of the department and admission to the College of Education.

Methods and materials for teaching mathematics, science, and social studies in primary grades. Twenty clock hours of tutoring per term.

5320 CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL PRIMARY CHILDREN (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to masters degree candidates.

Consideration of curriculum for early childhood education. Methods of curriculum planning as well as consideration of current research in planning for language, reading, social studies, science, mathematics, art, music, play and movement areas within the curriculum.

5340 MONTESSORI METHOD (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department.

Overview of Montessori philosophy, materials, methods, and curriculum.

5398 SPECIALTOPICS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (1-3)

Educational topics and/or problems that have a high degree of contemporary significance in the field of Early Childhood Education. Note: All graduate students are eligible to enroll in 5000 level classes, except those designed as restricted to master’s degree students or requiring departmental permission. Prior consultation with the department is recommended.

5440 DEVELOPMENT IN INFANCY (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates.

Consideration of development in infancy to include perceptual, motor, cognitive and language development. Fostering growth and development in infancy. Programmatic considerations for infant care in home and institutional settings. Introduction to ordinal scales for assessment in infancy.

5587 DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE OF PLAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of the department. In-depth consideration of the developmental role of play in early childhood education. Methods and materials for fostering creative and developmental play activities.

5740 FIELD PRACTICUM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION /FIELD (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education; Completion of a minimum of two (2) of the following courses: ECH 5008, 5120, 5180, 5319, and concurrent enrollment in the remaining; consent of the department.

Supervised hands-on experience in an early childhood classroom designed for students to apply teaching and learning strategies acquired in methods courses. Classroom management, school policies and rules, teaching strategies, and technology. One hundred clock hours field experience. To be taken the long semester prior to student teaching.

5750 STUDENT TEACHING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION/FIELD (6)

Prerequisite: Admission to the College of Education; completion of all other coursework in the approved program; a 2.5 grade point average in the concentration, in professional education, and in all coursework required in the approved program; and a passing score on the subject matter/content area certification test within the last five years.

Off-campus placement in a preschool setting (pre-K) and primary grade (K-3) classroom. University and cooperating school supervision. Five full days including seminar for 16 weeks. No other courses may be taken during the semester of student teaching. Credit will not be given for both ECH 285 and ECH 5750.

5850 SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (3)

Prerequisite: ECH 5002 or equivalent and consent of the department.

General introductory course in screening, assessment, and evaluation of young children in early childhood education. Course presents all major tests for screening young children. Tests to assess the development of intelligence, fine and gross motor development, social-emotional development, physical development, and language are presented. Extensive testing outside of class is required.

5970 RESEARCH ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates or consent of the department.

The study of research methods and topics in early childhood education. Writing a research paper on a topic in early childhood education.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECEE) Course Offerings

5000 INDEPENDENT STUDY AND RESEARCH (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates. Provides the student an opportunity to pursue an investigation in a specific area of concern which is conducted in close consultation with a member of the faculty.

5462 FIELD PRACTICUM/FIELD (3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to master’s degree candidates. Supervised experience in field work with children. Periods to be arranged.

5466 MASTER’S PROJECT/THESIS (3)

Prerequisite: Normally taken after the completion of 24 credit hours in the program. Research and writing of thesis or project for master’s degree. Student must continue to register for the course until thesis is completed.

Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval

Early Childhood Program is entitled by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Letter of Approval. Type 04 certified teachers can earn the Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval (Early Childhood Special Education Letter of approval according to the Illinois Administrative Transition Rules: Section 226.810 (f) Special Education Teacher Approval .)

The Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval can also be added to an LBS I certificate which qualifies the teacher to teach special education below kindergarten level. (It cannot be added to any other certificate).

The following 4 courses must be completed at CSU to earn the Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval:

ECSE 5150 FAMILY, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education or Type 04 certificate

Provide strategies in developing positive and supportive relationships with families of young children with special needs, including the legal and philosophical basis for family participation; family-centered services; and strategies for working with socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse families. Strategies and models for promoting effective consultation and collaboration with other professionals and agencies within the community.

ECSE 5309 ATYPICAL AND TYPICAL LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education or Type 04 certificate.

Address typical and atypical language development in young children; specific language disabilities; the relationship between communication delays and other areas of early learning and development; and alternative communication systems for young children with disabilities.

ECSE 4319 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION METHODS /FIELD (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education or Type 04 certificate.

Provide developmentally and individually appropriate methods for fostering the social, emotional, cognitive, communication, adaptive, and motor development and learning of young children with special needs in various settings such as the home, the school, and the community. Thirty field hours.

ECSE 5850 EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT (3)

Prerequisites: Admission to the College of Education or Type 04 certificate.

Provide strategies, procedures, and formal and informal instruments for assessing young children's social, emotional, cognitive, communication, and motor skills; family concerns, priorities, and resources; and school, home, and community learning environments; and methods for conducting formative and summative individual and program evaluation.