EDU 323 Urban Pre-K and Kindergarten Curriculum and Methods
This course examines the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development of children ages three to five and how young learners construct knowledge and acquire skills. Students analyze and evaluate developmental theories and early learning processes, including creative and critical thinking, problem solving, language development, and memory, to design and apply developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies. Emphasizing culturally responsive teaching in urban settings, students evaluate and design learning environments and guidance strategies that affirm children¿s identities, languages, cultures, and family contexts. A required 10-hour practicum enables students to apply, observe, and reflect on instructional decision-making in urban classrooms.
Prerequisites
3 Undergraduate credits
Effective August 18, 2026 to present
Learning outcomes
General
- Analyze the integrated nature of cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children.
- Apply assessment strategies to determine children¿s emerging social-emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive development and inform individualized goals and learning experiences.
- Explain the establishment and maintenance of psychologically safe and healthy learning environments for young children in urban preschool and kindergarten settings.
- Evaluate informal and formal assessment strategies used to plan and individualize curriculum and instructional practices.
- Design developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant learning experiences and curriculum for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children in urban settings.