Early Childhood Education

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    The Early Childhood Education program is designed to teach students the aspects of teaching and working with young children, from birth through elementary age. Students will explore career pathways and develop the characteristics of successful teachers and childcare providers through practicums.

    Applying theoretical concepts to real-life situations, students are able to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to their rotation experiences. The rotation experiences are vital in building the student’s understanding of how to meet the developmental needs and interests of young children in elementary school and daycare settings.

     

    About this program:

     

    • Successful Student Attributes: Likes and is patient with children, works well with others, kind, interested in
      caring for/teaching children, strong communication and organization skills, good role model, can work independently, positive discipline history
    • Career Opportunities: Elementary, PreK, or Special Education Teacher, Daycare Provider, Teaching Assistant, Social Worker, School Psychologist
    • Program Length: Two years
    • Industry Alignment: American Heart Association: First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - Adult, Child and Infant Standards, ServSafe Certification, New York State Teaching Assistant Certificate, Level I
    • Integrated Academic Coursework: Career and Financial Management (1/2 credit); English (1/2 credit per year)
    • Graduation Pathways: 4+1 Pathway Option: NOCTI Early Childhood Care and Education – Advanced, CDOS Pathway

     

    Opportunities through this program:

     

    • College Credit Opportunities: Dual Credit: Cayuga Community College: BIO 209 Basic Nutrition (1st year
      students) (3 credits), CAY 101 Foundations for College Success (2nd year students) (3 credits) and Jefferson
      Community College: ECD 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Development (2nd year students) (3
      credits); Articulation Agreements: SUNY Cobleskill
    • Credential Opportunities: NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate – Level I; American Heart Association: First Aid,
      CPR and AED Certifications, ServSafe Certification. This program also offers: DASA, Child Abuse Prevention,
      and School Violence Prevention workshops for 2nd year students.
    • Program Achievement Opportunities: Technical Endorsement on Graduation Diploma, National Technical
      Honor Society
    • Industry Assessments: NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate; NOCTI – Early Childhood Care and Education
      Advanced Exam

     

    Supplies/Samples:

     

    • Program Supplies, Materials, Assessments Provided: Polo shirts 1st year, Sweatshirt 2nd year; NOCTI – Early Childhood Care and Education (Advanced Exam); American Heart Association – First Aid, CPR, AED Certifications; ServSafe certification, 3 workshops (Dignity for All Students Act, Child Abuse Prevention Workshop, and School Violence Prevention Workshop); Exam fee for ATAS (Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills) needed
      to earn the NYS Teaching Assistant Certificate (must be eligible to test after completing two years of instruction and completed all workshops); Fingerprint Clearance for Teaching Assistant Certificate (as long as student takes
      and passes ATAS exam before graduation), JCC 3 credit hours ECD 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and
      Development (2nd year students)
    • Entry-level Occupational Reading Materials Lexile:1320-1370, (https://ttac.gmu.edu/archive/telegram/article-1)
    • 7th Grade Reading Level: Epilepsy is a convulsive disorder caused by damage to the brain. It affects about one percent of the population. As a result of this disorder, the electrical rhythms of the central nervous system are disturbed. Epilepsy is not a disease. Epilepsy can cause varying degrees of reactions or seizures. Two major types are petit mal and grand mal. Petit mal seizures result in reactions that many times go unnoticed. Often, the only visible signs are the fluttering of the eyelids, frozen postures, staring, and a temporary stop in activity. The type of seizure may only last five to ten seconds. As a teacher, you may not always notice a petit mal seizure. You may notice that the child's behavior is strange or that he or she may not be paying attention. During the seizure, the child may have only a brief lapse of consciousness. Most of these seizures do not require medical attention. Grand mal seizures are much more pronounced. During a grand mal seizure, a child will lose consciousness. He or she may also jerk, thrash, or become stiff. The child may also be injured by hitting objects or biting the tongue.
    • Sample Vocabulary: emotional impairment, developmentally appropriate, consumables, temperament