Cottage Grove High School
Early Childhood Education
Intro to ECE 120 : LCC 3 credits
Child and Family Studies
Ms. Kiilsgaard, Instructor
sina.kiilsgaard@slane.k12.or.us
Course Description
This is a beginning course in Early Childhood Education focusing on facilities, staffing
and programs for preschool children. Lecture, discussion, group activities, internship,
projects, and videos will be the primary methods of instruction. Students will write
reflections from each chapter and discuss them in class. Each student will be scheduled
into an internship in Cottage Grove with the age groups they wish to work with.
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:
1. Describe the general characteristics and qualities of facilities and staffing for
different types of programs for preschool aged children.
2. List the characteristics of the person who works successfully with children.
3. Cite major trends in the field of early childhood education.
4. Describe the historical background of early education for young children and have
basic understandings of major theorists who contributed to the growth in the field.
5. Name and give the focus of organizations and professional journals in the field.
6. Begin to understand the impact of personal values and biases on young children in
classroom settings.
7. Clearly state the ethical issues related to the education of young children.
Text
The text for this class is Who Am I in the Lives of Children?, 8th edition, by Feeney, ,
Nolte, Christensen & Moravick. This text can be purchases in the LCC Book store.
Chapters :
Chapter 1: The Teacher *
Chapter 2: The Field of Early Childhood Education and Care
Chapter 3: History and Educational Models
Chapter 4: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing
Chapter 5: Child Development (review)
Chapter 6: Relationships and Guidance
Chapter 7: Health, Safety and Well Being
Chapter 8: The Learning Environment
Chapter 9: Understanding and Supporting Play
Chapter 12: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities
Chapter 13: Working with Family
Chapter 14: Becoming an Early Childhood Professional
-2Projects/ Assignments:
Internship: Each student will arrange to attend/work at a local child care facility. You
can be placed with head start, Parent Partnership, Elementary schools, Middle Schools,
First Days, Montessori if available. This will be scheduled for first period. You will need
to get yourself to the place you are scheduled and get yourself back to CGHS prior to the
start of 2nd period - 9 am. You can arrange to start before the actual school day ( for
example 7:30, 7:45 or 8:00. Then you will need to figure out what time you need to leave
in order to make it back to school on time.
 You will be held responsible for contacting your place of internship in the event
you will not be present. Just like you should contact your employer if you miss
work.
 You will keep track of your hours and your duties on a daily and weekly sheet.
Time cards and evaluation forms are available through the Transitions Office
( Janet Golden). There is paperwork that needs to be filled out and kept in her
Office.
 At the end of the year we will add up all of your hours in order for you to
Qualify for additional LCC college credits in practicum hours.
Observation Assignment: Six (30 minute) observations
Scheduled, documented, evaluated, and shared in class
Facility Assignment: After completing all of the chapter work you will develop
floor plans of your own Child Care center using the guidelines
on environment from the textbook. You will prepare an actual floor plan, written
documentation on the decisions you made for your facility, and a presentation to
class.
Facility daily/weekly schedule assignment:
Child Care Careers paper:
Evaluation of Children’s Television assignment:
Evaluating Children’s Books assignment:
Planning Meals for Preschoolers assignment:
Updated Portfolio: prepared to go out and get a job.
Spring : Comprehensive Testing required by state
Learning Resources:
Students having any difficulty with the class should consult the instructor immediately.
Once the difficulty is determined, the instructor will make a suitable recommendation as
to how to support an assist the student.
Accessibility Notification:
If you need support or assistance because of a disability you may be eligible for academic
accommodations. Let the teacher know what modifications you will need and we will
work together to assist you in completing the class.