Methods of Teaching in Early Childhood I

Course Description

This course provides a solid foundation in program content and methodology for the teaching of language and literacy, the arts, and physical activity and physical education to young children, including children with special needs. Curricular content, modifications, development of hands-on learning experiences, integration of content area standards, the impact of new technology, and cultural and sociopolitical contexts are explored. A foundation in effective teaching methodologies in the content areas is provided.

Topics and Objectives

Teaching Methodologies

• Identify and analyze terms and concepts related to teaching methodologies.
• Identify teaching methods and their application to curriculum content.
• Examine effective techniques and activities related to cognitive content and creative behavior.
• Explain how to adapt educational activities and materials for children with special needs.

Language and Literacy Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful language and literacy program.
• Examine the impact of second language acquisition and bilingualism on language and literacy curriculum.
• Analyze how to integrate the national and state standards into the language and literacy curriculum.
• Examine effective methodologies of teaching language and literacy to young children across a developmental continuum.
• Design strategies and activities in order to work with the effect of the sociopolitical context related to the acquisition of a second language and the special needs of young children.
• Design educational activities and materials for language arts and literacy for young children.

The Arts Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful arts program.
• Analyze how to integrate the national and state standards into the arts curriculum.
• Examine effective methodologies of teaching the arts to young children across a developmental continuum.
• Identify activities that allow young children to express themselves through music, dance, drama, and painting.
• Analyze how children can understand the world through music, dance, drama, and painting.
• Design educational activities and materials for the arts.

Physical Education Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful physical education program.
• Analyze how to integrate the national and state standards into the physical education curriculum.
• Examine effective methodologies of teaching physical education to young children across a developmental continuum including nursery, preschool, and kindergarten.
• Analyze the possible impact that cultural differences and gender expectations can have on teaching methodologies in physical education.
• Design educational activities and materials for physical education.

Introduction to Technology as a Teaching Strategy

• Examine the impact of technology as a teaching strategy or tool on the early childhood curriculum related to language and literacy, the arts, and physical education.
• Analyze the use of the computer as a tool to develop young children's skills and concepts.
• Analyze the use of the computer as a strategy in curriculum content development for young children.