Early Childhood Development

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) program micro-credential will provide participants with an overview of current early childhood education practices. Participants will develop an understanding of child development and learning, and identify the values woven within the field that appreciate children’s curiosity and discovery through play. Participants will learn how to create nurturing environments and foster positive relationships to promote healthy development opportunities for young children. The micro-credential introduces the field of early childhood education and opens doors to further education opportunities within the ECD major and minor programs.

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Choose from any of the three of the following courses:

• ECE 350: ECE Foundations & Trends in Early Childhood Development
• ECE 370: Valuing Diversity in ECE
• ECE 380: Family Community Connections
• ECE 390: The Art of Holistic Education in ECE
• ECE 460: Innovations in Curriculum for Young Children
• ECE 470: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Action

*The minimum grade requirement is a B- for each course.

Learning Outcomes/Competencies

1. Communicate effectively in writing, speech, and technology.
2. Access and evaluate information resources to become critical thinkers of developmentally effective practices in early childhood education.
3. Engage in the community through service projects and fieldwork in early childhood, schools, and other community settings.
4. Examine personal attitudes, values and beliefs, and develop advocacy and leadership skills and professionalism to apply in diverse settings.

Demand/Relevance

• Both Raise Up Oregon and the Early Childhood Professional Learning Plan Legislative Report provide a roadmap for achieving diversification of the early learning workforce and achieving salary parity with K-12 teachers in Oregon. Our program courses align with the Power to the Profession’s Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Profession.
• The Early Learning Division (ELD) has adopted the Oregon Equity Lens, along with the HECC.
• The courses listed above critically examine the current state of early childhood education and provide much needed leadership preparation to experienced early learning educators for potential leadership roles that are aligned with the strategic plan and vision expressed by the Governor.
• According to Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth through age 8: A Unifying Foundation, national standards and competencies need to reflect on recent research on how children learn and develop. The emerging science makes clear the importance and complexity of working with young children. Since early childhood years have a long-term impact of learning, shared knowledge and competencies are needed across the workforce.

For More Information, Contact

Early Childhood Development Coordinator
Dr. Younghee Kim
kimy@sou.edu