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Introduction to Early Childhood

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Introduction to Early Childhood

This course is part of Home-Based Child Care Specialization

Instructor: JoLynn Fiorentino

20,462 already enrolled

Included with

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

139 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

139 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

You'll learn the fundamentals of early childhood development, the importance of play, and the significance of family in early education programs.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Taught in English

91% of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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This course is part of the Home-Based Child Care Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 6 modules in this course

This course is targeted toward individuals wishing to operate a family day care center, and it covers topics including the fundamentals of early childhood development; the importance of play and Developmentally Appropriate Practice; and the significance of building strong family-educator relationships and how to achieve them.

Module details

The intention of this module is to introduce you to the Home-Based Child Care Final Project, including the rubric which will be used to score your final project submission.

What's included

2 readings

In this module, we define Developmentally Appropriate Practice and discuss the importance of play in early childhood. We also outline the domains of children's learning.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

In this module, we discuss teacher/family relationships, including ways to communicate and involve families in early childhood programs.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

In this module, we will explore the use of observations in early childhood settings along with the varied assessments utilized and their purpose. In addition, we will look at developmentally-appropriate assessment strategies.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 discussion prompt

1 videoTotal 24 minutes

Assessment in Early Childhood24 minutes

3 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Resources/Links reference in Assessment in Early Childhood30 minutes
DAP: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing Children's Development and Learning10 minutes
Family Policy Handbook Section #5: Observation and Assessment Techniques30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Assessing children10 minutes

We will explore factors that influence behavior in this module. We will also discuss the importance of regular, predictable, and positive learning environments along with various guidance techniques for young children.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 discussion prompt

This module is geared toward understanding strategies for teaching in an inclusive setting, recognizing culturally-diverse classrooms and establishing anti-bias curriculum.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 peer review1 discussion prompt

1 videoTotal 39 minutes

Inclusion and Diversity39 minutes

3 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Preparing Young Children for the Inclusion of Children with Disabilities into the Classroom10 minutes
Family Policy Handbook Section #7: Supporting Diversity30 minutes
Course Resources (OPTIONAL)60 minutes