Early Childhood Intervention

Overview

The goals of the AA in Early Childhood Intervention degree is designed to provide specialized knowledge and experience with supporting and educating children who have suspected or documented exceptional needs or disabilities. Future teachers of children birth to five are prepared to provide inclusive and developmentally appropriate care and education, through educationally sound, culturally engaging and family-centered practices. This degree also provides foundational child development and family engagement knowledge and experience to students who will pursue a Multi-Subject or Single Subject credential through a 4-year college or university. The Early Care and Education Program provides students with a fundamental understanding of the principles of child growth and development, as well as experience in the application of these principles.

Career Opportunities

Early Childhood Teacher Special Education Instructional Assistant Special Education Para-professional

Program Learning Outcome(s)

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Assess children's development through observation, documentation, reflection and interpretation to guide curriculum and intentional teaching.
2. Compare and contrast diverse cultural values, child rearing practices, attitudes towards play and education by developing respectful reciprocal relationships in order to work effectively with children, families, co-workers and community.
3. Demonstrate practices that maintain standards of health, nutrition, and safety in early childhood settings.
4. Identify the processes of and contributions to systemic and internalized oppression and privilege. Utilize this information, along with personal reflection, to identify strategies to more effectively educate children in a pluralistic society.
5. Intentionally design inclusive, culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum to promote positive development for all young children, based on child development, observation and reflection.
6. Develop a personal ECE philosophy after reviewing ECE philosophies and program approaches.
7. Synthesize child development research and theories; apply principles with consideration for children's varying characteristics, needs and the multiple interacting influences on children's development.
8. Utilize observation and evaluation processes/tools to apply and implement developmentally appropriate practices in an early care and education setting using knowledge, skills and professional dispositions that promote the development and learning of all young children.

Early Childhood Intervention (AA): Program Requirements