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PSYC 416 Comparative Study of Early Childhood Program Models

This course focuses on a comparative study of traditional, current and culturally-based program models designed for children from birth through five years of age. Students are introduced to early childhood program models including: The Creative Curriculum, Reggio Emilia, Head Start, Montessori, High Scope, Waldorf, behavioral approaches to learning (Portage, Distar), early childhood family education, and school readiness.

Prerequisites

3 Undergraduate credits

Effective August 18, 2018 to present

Learning outcomes

General

  • Articulate the theoretical basis for the major program models.
  • Critically evaluate models in light of contemporary standards of quality.
  • Develop a plan for a high quality early childhood program using the best features of the curriculum models.
  • Evaluate program quality using a standard assessment tool-ECERS.
  • Identify curriculum models for culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
  • Identify the key characteristics of the major early childhood program models.
  • Summarize the foundational research on the major early childhood curriculum models.