EARLY CHILD GUIDANCE & OBSERVATION
ECE 131- Section: [Insert]
[Insert other course information (optional): blended, honors]
Credit Hours: 3.00
Lab Hours: 0.00
Lecture Hours:
3.00
IAI Core:
IAI Majors:
Semester: [Insert]
Course Begins: [Insert]
Course Ends: [Insert]
Days: [Insert]
Times: [Insert]
Room: [Insert]
Instructor:
[Insert]
E-mail: [Insert your @mchenry.edu email address or LMS information]
Phone: [Insert]
Office Hours: [Insert]
Office Location: [Insert]
Other Contact Information: [Insert]
Website (optional): [Insert]
Required Course:
Textbook(s): [Insert]
Supplies (if desired): [Insert]
Course Description:
Early Child Guidance & Observation teaches developmentally appropriate guidance techniques based on
child development. Students learn to analyze behavior through observation and to apply the appropriate
guidance technique. As part of the course, students participate in directed observations in a preschool
setting.
Course Prerequisite: ECE 120 or permission of the Early Childhood Education department chair.
Section Notes:
[Insert if applicable]
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define three levels of "mistaken behavior", list and define appropriate teaching strategies for each
level.
2. Define Developmentally Appropriate Guidance as outlined by NAEYC.
3. Generate a plan for a developmentally appropriate classroom climate that includes utilization of
appropriate guidance techniques.
4. Define anti-bias curriculum and its role in utilizing appropriate guidance techniques for each
child.
5. Define and discuss his/her personal philosophy of discipline and guidance.
6. Compare and contrast popular approaches to guidance as outlined in parenting books available to
the general public.
7. Define the role of the teacher in the guidance process.
8. Conduct behavioral observations in a classroom and analyze the results.
9. Demonstrate the ability to participate in group activities and communicate through spoken and
written language.
10. Demonstrate the ability to use the library and internet to acquire resources for the course.
11. Demonstrate an appreciation for the importance of child development principles in selecting
appropriate guidance techniques.
Course Outline:
I.
Course Overview
A. Guidance Approach
B. Historical Perspectives
C. Child Development Principles Related to Guidance
II.
Dan Gartrell and Mistaken Behaviors
A. Defining Three Levels of Mistaken Behavior
B. Appropriate Teacher Response to Each Level
C. Observation and Analysis of Three Levels in the Preschool Classroom
III.
Developmentally Appropriate Guidance in the Preschool Classroom
A. Teacher Role
B. Classroom Environment: Observation and Analysis of Indirect Guidance
C. NAEYC Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Guidance
IV.
High Scope Conflict Management Model
V.
Praise and Encouragement in the Classroom
VI.
Developmentally Appropriate Guidance Techniques for Toddlers and TwoYear Olds
VII.
Crisis Management Techniques
A. Developing a Guidance Plan
B. Teacher-Parent Partnerships
C. Referral Process
VIII.
Anti-Bias Curriculum and Guidance Approaches
IX.
Guidance Approaches to Challenging Children
X.
Developmentally Appropriate Guidance Approaches in the Elementary Setting
A. Analysis of Discipline Policies in Elementary Schools
B. Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Approaches to Guidance
XI.
School Violence and Bullying in Elementary Settings
A. Techniques to Stop School Violence and Bullying
B. Strategies to Prevent Children from Becoming Victims
XII.
Developing a Personal Philosophy of Guidance
A. Comparison of Guidance Approaches
B. Researching Guidance Approaches in Early Childhood
Assignments and Grading Criteria
[Insert. Must include the value of each project, skill, exam, etc. as it relates to the final grade.]
Policies
Attendance policy: [Insert]
Late work/make-up policy: [Insert]
Weekly Course Schedule
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[Insert date of each class meeting, topics to be covered, assignment due dates, testing dates, final exam
date, etc. Table format below is optional.]
Dates of
Class
Meetings
Course Schedule
Week #1
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Week #2
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Week #3
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Week #4
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Week #5
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Week #6
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Week #7
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Week #8
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Week #9
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Week #10
{Tentative Activity}
Week #11
{Tentative Activity}
Week #12
{Tentative Activity}
Week #13
{Tentative Activity}
Week #14
{Tentative Activity}
Week #15
{Tentative Activity}
Week #16
{Tentative Activity}
Teaching Schedule
The scheduling of the activities and teaching strategies on this syllabus, but not the objectives or content,
may be altered at any time at the discretion of the instructor.
Withdrawals: The last day to drop this course is [Insert date according to Important Class Dates for term
https://catalog.mchenry.edu/syllabi/Pages/default.aspx]. Failure to attend class does not constitute official
withdrawal. If students are considering a withdrawal, they should consult directly with the instructor and an
academic advisor. Students may withdraw from a class through the Registration Office, either in person or by
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fax: (815) 455-3766. In their request, students should include their name, student ID number, course prefix,
number and section, course title, instructor, reason for withdrawing, and their signature. Withdrawal from a
course will not be accepted over the telephone.
Academic Support for Special Populations Students
Students with Disabilities:
It is the policy and practice of McHenry County College to create inclusive learning environments. If you
are a student with a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act – Amended
(ADAA) and require accommodations, please contact the Access and Disability Services office for
information on appropriate policies and procedures for receiving accommodations and support.
Disabilities covered by ADAA may include learning, psychiatric, and physical disabilities, or chronic
health disorders. Students should contact the Access and Disability Services office if they are not certain
whether a medical condition/disability qualifies. To receive accommodations, students must make a
formal request and must supply documentation from a qualified professional to support that request.
However, you do not need to have your documentation in hand for our first meeting. Students who
believe they qualify must contact the Access and Disability Services office to begin the accommodation
process. All discussions remain confidential. The Access and Disability Services office is located in
Room A260 in A Building in the Atrium. To schedule an appointment to speak with the manager, please
call (815) 455-8766. Information about disabilities services at MCC can be found at:
www.mchenry.edu/access
Students in Career/Technical Programs
As a student enrolled in a career or technical education program at McHenry County College, you may be
eligible for services and assistance under the Carl D. Perkins III Grant. Grant funds are used, in part, to
assist students who are at risk of not succeeding in their educational pursuits. The traits that often prevent
students from succeeding are: economic disadvantage, academic disadvantage, disability/disabilities,
single parent, displaced homemaker, enrollment in a program in which their gender is under represented,
and limited English proficiency (LEP). The definitions of each trait are available in the Access and
Disability Services office. Students with one or more of these traits are referred to as Perkins Special
Populations Students.
If you would like to know if you are eligible for services at any time during the semester, please do not
hesitate to contact the Manager, Access and Disability Services. The office is Room A260, and phone
number is (815) 455-8676.
Additional syllabus information and resources can be found at www.mchenry.edu/syllabusinfo.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING ALL SYLLABUS INFORMATION.
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