Chabot College
Fall 2003
Course Outline for Early Childhood Development 60
TEACHING SPECIAL NEEDS INFANTS AND PRESCHOOLERS
Catalog Description:
60 - Teaching Special Needs Infants and Preschoolers
3 units
Introduction to early childhood education for the special needs infant and preschooler.
Developmental characteristics and abilities found in infants and preschoolers identified as
"at risk" or handicapped. Instructional methods, assessments, interventions, learning and
mainstreaming environments for the special needs infant and preschooler. Prerequisite:
ECD 51 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours.
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of neonatal, infant, toddler, pre
school, and early primary child development;
describe current trends in research about early childhood;
identify and describe the needs of typically developing children at different ages
and stages of development;
assess a child through observation and identify those child’s unique qualities,
behaviors, skills, traits, and developmental level;
know available community services provided for young children with special
needs and techniques for studying children;
demonstrate understanding of the need of programs to provide culturally sensitive
care and implement curriculum that is multicultural and anti-bias.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
define special needs infants and preschoolers;
identify typical and atypical development in the infant and preschooler;
develop appropriate instructional strategies for early intervention and mainstream
integration;
arrange assessable and appropriate learning environments, specialized and
mainstream;
identify and implement appropriate curriculum and behavior management skills
and work with the family;
identify the components of IDEA, Individual Education Plan and Individual
Service Plan (IEP, IFSP development).
Chabot College
Course Outline for ECD 60
Fall 2003
Page 2
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Origins and classification of special needs infants and preschoolers
Fundamentals of:
a.
Early intervention
b.
Mainstreaming
c.
Appropriate early childhood curriculum
d.
Typical and atypical development
Determining instructional targets
Designing preschool environments and facilitating involvement
Instructional methods for skill development:
a.
Sensorimotor
b.
Cognitive
c.
Play and social
d.
Communication
e.
Self-help
f.
Behavioral
Parent involvement, services, and rights
Legal requirements under IDEA, including IEP, IFSP development
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lectures, discussion and demonstrations
Field Trips
Audio- visual materials
Guest speakers
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments
a. Analyze a case study and evaluate an Individual Family Service Plan and
Individual Service Plan
b. Write a developmental observation of special needs children related to their
environmental and interpersonal interactions
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Assignments, including written assignments
b.
Projects
c.
Quizzes
d.
Midterm and Final Exam
Chabot College
Course Outline of ECD 60
Fall 2003
Page 3
Textbook(s) (typical):
Preschool Children with Special Needs: Children at Risk, Lerne, Lowetnal and Egan,
Allyn and Bacon Publishing Co., 2000, or latest edition
Special Student Materials:
None.
tf Doc:/ECD 60
Revised: 10-23-02