This course builds on the foundation learned during the Early Education & Care Exploratory course. Students will review concepts and methods previously taught including basic child development, classroom management techniques, and curriculum models, as well as shop & personal safety standards. Students will look more in depth at how children develop from infancy through preschool. They will look to become proficient at understanding the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of children. The Baby Think It Over dolls are an integral part of this program. A more in­ depth look at OSHA safety regulations and safety standards within the EEC program will be covered. Prerequisite – A passing score in the CVTE Exploratory recommended, meeting attendance, discipline/conduct record, safety requirements, meeting minimum course requirements, and an accepted application to become a member of the CVTE Department Team.

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) and 

Major Learning Experiences from Unit

Learning About Children 

Sept

Understanding Children, Reasons of Study, Benefits of Play, Five Principles of Development 


Theorists

Sept

Historical Influences on Early Childcare & Education, Theories of Development, Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory, Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory, Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory

Families Today 

Oct

Family Structures, Advantages & Disadvantages of different Families , Cultural Influences 

Preparing to Parent

              Oct

Roles of the Parent, Parenting Styles, Difficulties of Parenting, Infertility: Physical & Psychological problems of infertility 

Pregnancy 

Nov

SIgns of Pregnancy, Conception, Reproductive Systems, Genetic Factors, Types of Pregnancy 

Prenatal Care 

Dec

Stages of Prenatal Development, Environmental Factors, Health Hazards, Complications 

Childbirth 

Jan

Family Decisions, Methods of Delivery, Stages of Labor, Complications, Postpartum Care

The Newborn 

Feb

Reflexes, Meeting the Newborn’s Physical Needs, Meeting the Newborn’s Intellectual Needs, Meeting Parents’ needs 

Infants 

March

Physical, Intellectual, Social Emotional Development

Teaching Through Play 

April 

Importance of Play, Stages of Play, Adult’s Role in Children’s Play 

Health & Safety 

              April 

Basic Needs for Good Health, Accidents & Allergies, Indoor/Outdoor Safety

Childcare & Group Settings 

May 

Types of Group Programs

Special Needs 

June 

Children with Special Needs, Mental/Learning/Behavior Disabilities, IEPs