CHILD DEVELOPMENT COURSES (CHILD)
CHILD 110 - INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD
Prerequisite: Approved reading placement score, or equivalent. This survey course provides an overview of early childhood care and education including historical and cultural perspectives, organization, structure, programming, and evidence-based practices. Professional and evidence-based practices of highly qualified early childhood educators are outlined with an emphasis on their ability to enhance development and learning of each and every child between the ages of birth and eight. Considerations for diversity of culture, language, race, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and ability will be included. This course includes six (6) hour-long field experiences outside of class time and an independent ICC background check is required. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2, 3, and 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 120 - GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG CHILD
Prerequisite: Approved reading placement score, or equivalent. This course provides an overview of the theory and principles of human growth and development from conception to age eleven. Content includes an in-depth study of the inter-relatedness of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects of development. Development is studied in the context of family, gender, culture, language, ability, socioeconomic, diversity, and society. The theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, and Gardner will be emphasized in this course. Two, one-hour field observations are required outside of class time. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2, 3, and 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (TC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 124 - PLAY-BASED LEARNING
Prerequisite: CHILD 110 and 120 with a grade of "C" or better. This course introduces students to early childhood curriculum, developmentally appropriate practices (DAP), and skillful communication for relationship-building at a level appropriate for assistant teachers. Students will focus on play-based learning as the standard of early childhood education. Four(4) one-hour field experiences and an independent ICC background check is required. Successful completion of CHILD 124 applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2.
3 Credit Hours (TC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 130 - CURRICULUM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
Prerequisite: CHILD 110 and CHILD 120 both with a grade of "C" or better or department approval. The course focuses on relationships among developmental theories, philosophies, practices, and development of curriculum based on the needs and interests of young children, including those who are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse. Students will study the principles of effective early childhood teaching and learning that include planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate, evidence-based curriculum for young children. This course includes six (6) one-hour field experiences of practice teaching to be completed outside of class time, and requires a current ICC background check. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2, 3, and 4 Credentials.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 132 - INFANT-TODDLER CARE AND EDUCATION
Prerequisite: CHILD 110 and CHILD 120 both with a grade of "C" or better or department approval. This course focuses on the relationship-based care and education of infants and toddlers, their growth and development, and programs serving infants, toddlers, and their families. Content is based on theoretical and research foundations. Students will observe and interact with infants and toddlers through ten hour-long field experiences outside of class time, requiring a current ICC background check. Successful completion of this course applies toward ECE Advanced Certificate, AAS in ECE, and Gateways Infant-Toddler Level 3 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 134 - OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Prerequisite: CHILD 110 and CHILD 120 both with a grade of "C" or better, or department approval. This course introduces students to authentic assessments as they relate to Illinois development standards and child development. The course introduces assessments to Illinois Kindergarten Standards. Students will practice the observation cycle that includes ongoing observation/documentation/assessment, in class and in the field. Students will gain the knowledge and skills to interpret and use assessments to plan curriculum that is responsive to and supportive of children's learning and development. Students will spend ten (10) hours of field experiences outside of class time. An independent ICC background check is required. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 3, and ECE Level 4 credentials.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 140 - CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY
Prerequisite: Approved reading placement score or equivalent. This course focuses on the diverse needs of the child within the context of family, school and community. Students will examine the interplay of diverse cultures, lifestyles, abilities, language and communication with the role of the early childhood environment and other community institutions. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Credentials.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 142 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION FOR THE YOUNG CHILD
Prerequisite: Approved reading score or equivalent. This course provides an overview of the health, safety and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Content includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children's diverse needs, the promotion of healthy life style practices, understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries, meeting health, nutrition and safety standards, and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child. Two (2) one-hour field observations and background check is required. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Credentials.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 170 - TEACHING AND LEARNING I
Prerequisite: CHILD 125 with a grade of "C" or better. This course introduces the study and practice of early childhood pedagogy as it relates to child development, and as it applies to the roles and responsibilities of effective early childhood teachers. Breadth of content covers birth through age 5 and introduces applications appropriate in kindergarten settings (ECEII). Specific concepts and skills covered are math, literacy, and living in society. Students are required to complete four (4) one-hour practice teaching field experiences. An independent ICC Background check is required. Successful completion of this course earns credit toward Gateways ECE Level 3.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 210 - TEACHING AND LEARNING II
Prerequisite: CHILD 134 and CHILD 170 with a grade of "C" or better. This course builds on and further develops the study and practice of early childhood pedagogy as it relates to child development, and as it applies to the roles and responsibilities of effective early childhood teachers. Depth of content covers birth through age 5 and introduces applications appropriate in kindergarten settings (ECEII). Specific concepts and skills covered are literacy, science, and fine arts. Students are required to complete four (4) one-hour practice teaching field experiences. An independent ICC Background check is required. Successful completion of this course earns credit toward Gateways ECE Level 4.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 222 - FINE ARTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Prerequisite: CHILD 130 with a grade of "C" or better. This course is an exploration and examination of developmental theory and research, as well as principles, methods, and materials as they apply to fine arts and social studies teaching and learning in early childhood settings, birth through age eight. This course requires six field experiences to be completed outside of class time, requiring current background check through ICC. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 225 - GUIDING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Prerequisite: CHILD 130 with a grade of "C" or better. This course focuses on developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approaches and positive guidance strategies for supporting the psychosocial development and prosocial behaviors of each child. The course emphasizes supportive interactions and developmentally appropriate environments; uses assessment to analyze and guide behaviors; and studies the impact of diversity (cultural, linguistic, and ability) and family on the guidance of children, birth through age 8. This course requires four (4) hour-long field experiences outside of class time and requires a current ICC background check. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 231 - LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN
Prerequisite: ENGL 110 with a grade of "C" or higher, or equivalent. Approved reading placement score or equivalent. This course examines genres and categories of children's literature. Students will examine literature appropriate for children up to age fourteen (14). Students will engage in a deep assessment of the elements of good literature, authors, and illustrators. This course also examines the impact literature has on children, and how it is used to expand a child's knowledge. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 232 - LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Prerequisite: CHILD 120 with a grade of "C" or better, or department approval. This course involves a comprehensive study of the acquisition of spoken and written language from infancy through adolescence, which includes the ability to communicate with English language learners. This course includes three (3) field experiences to be completed outside of class time and requires a current ICC background check. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (TC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 235 - TEACHING DIVERSE POPULATIONS
Prerequisite: CHILD 120 with a grade of "C" or better, or department approval. This course presents anti-bias education for understanding and social identities that influence young children's development and learning as a professional obligation to work toward eliminating structural inequities that limit equitable learning opportunities. Three (3) hour-long field experiences outside of class time and an independent ICC background check is required. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (TC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
CHILD 240 - CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICUM I
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course deals with the practical application of evidence-based practices based on early childhood education principles and theories. Students work with diverse young children and families in high-quality, culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse early childhood settings under the supervision of a cooperating teacher/site supervisor as well as a college course work supervisor. Student will spend ninety hours of field experience in an assigned early childhood setting, requiring a current background check through ICC. Successful completion of this course applies toward Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 1 Laboratory Hours: 6