Early Childhood Education
 

The Early Childhood Development Technology program provides preparation for a professional career in the discipline of Early Childhood Education spanning a variety of career options.

This discipline includes classroom instruction, supervised laboratory experiences, and work-based learning experiences. Students will develop competencies that enable them to provide services, teach, and guide young children as related to various child development professions. 

  • Career Certificate
  • Technical Certificate
  • A.A.S. Degree

CDT 1214 Infant and Toddler Development This course provides knowledge concerning the care and development of infants and toddlers in early childhood programs. Practice of infant and toddler care giving skills (birth to 36 months) in group settings is given in laboratory classroom or collaborative centers. (4 sch: 3-hr lecture, 2-hr lab)

CDT 1113 Early Childhood Profession This course is an introduction to the profession of early childhood, types of early childhood programs, and theories of child development. Students are required to develop observational skills through laboratory experience. (3 sch: 2-hr lecture, 2-hr lab)

CDT 1343 Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition This course provides knowledge of general health, safety, and nutrition practices in the care and education of young children that includes health and safety issues required by the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) Regulations Governing Licensure of Childcare Facilities and referenced in the Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ITERS-R) and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R). (3 sch: 3-hr lecture)

CDT 1313 Creative Arts for Young Children This course provides knowledge of the creative arts and strategies for developing and implementing creative art experiences, both as a means of creative expression and as a part of integrated learning with children birth to age eight. Experiences will be implemented during Practicum. (3 sch: 3-hr lecture)

CDT 2233 Guiding Social and Emotional Behavior This course provides knowledge of the typical behaviors of young children at each stage of development, environmental influences affecting their behavior, and the practice of positive guidance principles by adult caregivers. Resources include the Mississippi Department of Health Regulations Governing Licensure of Childcare Facilities, Mississippi Early Learning Standards, the Infant Toddler Standards, Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ITERS-R), and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R). Lab activities will be implemented during Practicum I and II. (3 sch: 3-hr lecture)

CDT 1713 Language and Literacy Development for Young Children This course provides knowledge of oral and written language development of young children and the strategies for the development and implementation of developmentally appropriate language and literacy experiences throughout the curriculum. The Mississippi Early Learning Standards, Infant Toddler Standards, Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ITERS-R), and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R) are utilized. Activities will be implemented during Practicum. (3 sch: 3-hr lecture)

CDT 2714 Social Studies, Math, and Science for Young Children This course provides knowledge of strategies for developing and implementing developmentally appropriate experiences in social studies, math, and science for young children. Lab activities with the children are implemented during Practicum. (4 sch: 4-hr lecture) CDT 2914 Advanced Practicum This course is a supervised practicum which includes a minimum of 120 clock hours of observation and supervised teaching in an approved early childhood setting. The course provides the application of evidence based best practices of early education principles and theories. Students work to create an environment that is safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate to promote an optimum learning environment for young children. (4 sch: 8-hr lab) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 1224 Preschool and Primary Development This course provides knowledge concerning the care, development, and education of the preschool child in group settings and school age children in afterschool and summer programming. Practice is given in preschool children caregiving in group settings through classroom laboratory or collaborative centers. (ages 3–8) (4 sch: 3-hr lecture, 2-hr lab) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 2413 Development of the Exceptional Child This course provides knowledge of atypically developing children, family, and classroom intervention strategies and available support services. Legal, ethical, legislative, and family issues will be explored. Resources include Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ITERS-R), and Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale Revised (ECERS-R). (3 sch: 2-hr lecture, 2-hr lab) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 2934 Preschool Practicum Experience This course is a supervised practicum which includes a minimum of 120 clock hours of supervised teaching in an approved preschool setting. The course is a capstone course which focuses on the student’s demonstration of competencies throughout the daily routine using a unit of study for young children. It is usually the last course taken before completion of the program. (4 sch: 8-hr lab) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 2813 Administration of Programs for Young Children This course provides knowledge of the development and administration of early childhood education programs. Emphasis is placed on evaluation of policies and procedures, organizational structure, management, and the quality measures through state agencies. (3 sch: 3-hr lecture) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 2513 Family Dynamics and Community Involvement This course provides knowledge for establishing successful partnerships with children’s families and communities by creating respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families while involving families in their children’s development and learning. (ages birth to 8 years). (3 sch: 3-hr lecture) Prerequisite: Instructor Approved

CDT 2613 Methods, Materials, and Measurements This course provides knowledge of an integrated approach to planning, preparing, implementing, and evaluating early childhood curriculum and environments. As students gain a broader understanding of young children, this knowledge will be reflected in their curriculum planning. Students will gain strategies for organizing, analyzing, and interpreting observation data to improve program quality and meet the needs of individual children. The learning experiences will be implemented during Practicum. (3 sch: 3-hr lecture)