Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

School of Education
Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Program Description
The unique nature of working with young children implies that professionals develop the skills necessary for working with and collaborating effectively with families and other professionals.  Additionally, the fact that not all children develop at the same rate and children with developmental delays and disabilities are included in typical early childhood classes requires that anyone who works with young children have an understanding of an even wider range of development and learning.  As a result, this certificate program was created to give participants a basic knowledge, understanding and skills to develop environments and learning experiences that support the physical, social, cognitive and emotional development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and primary aged children.

Objectives

At the completion of this certificate program, candidates will be able to:

• Identify the theoretical and philosophical approaches to early childhood education within the context of children's diverse cognitive, linguistic, physical, social, emotional, and cultural needs.
• Implement a learning environment that supports all aspects of the well-being of all children including those with special needs and diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate an ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities which enhance and integrate physical, cognitive, communication, and social/emotional development for all children ages birth through eight with diversified abilities.
• Define collaborative strategies that help in establishing and maintaining relationships with families and the community to support children's growth and development.
• Demonstrate effective use of a variety of teaching materials and methodologies, and to incorporate the use of a variety of technologies into their instructional repertoires.
• Define collaborative strategies that help in establishing and maintaining relationships with families and the community to support children's growth and development.
• Evaluate the performance of self in working with young children and their families.