Course Description

This course gives a strong foundation in program content and methodology for the teaching of language and literacy, the arts, and physical activity and physical education to young children, as well as children with special needs. Curricular content, modifications, creation of hands-on learning experiences, integration of content area standards, the impact of new technology, and cultural and sociopolitical contexts are explored. A groundwork in competent teaching methodologies in the content areas is provided.

learning areas and Objectives

Teaching Methodologies

• Identify and analyze terms and ideas similair to teaching methodologies.
• Identify teaching strategies and their application to curriculum content.
• assess competent techniques and activities similair to cognitive content and creative behavior.
• Explain how to adapt educational activities and materials for children with special needs.

Language and Literacy Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful language and literacy program.
• assess the impact of second language acquisition and bilingualism on language and literacy curriculum.
• Analyze how to take into consideration the national and state standards into the language and literacy curriculum.
• assess competent methodologies of teaching language and literacy to young children across a developmental continuum.
• Design approaches and activities in order to interact with the effect of the sociopolitical context similair to the acquisition of a second language and the special requirements of young children.
• Design educational activities and materials for language arts and literacy for young children.

The Arts Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful arts program.
• Analyze how to take into consideration the national and state standards into the arts curriculum.
• assess competent methodologies of teaching the arts to young children across a developmental continuum.
• Identify activities that allow young children to express themselves through music, dance, drama, and painting.
• Analyze how children can understand the world through music, dance, drama, and painting.
• Design educational activities and materials for the arts.

Physical Education Curriculum and Teaching Methodologies

• Identify the curriculum content needed in a successful physical education program.
• Analyze how to take into consideration the national and state standards into the physical education curriculum.
• assess competent methodologies of teaching physical education to young children across a developmental continuum as well as nursery, preschool, and kindergarten.
• Analyze the possible impact that cultural differences and gender expectations can have on teaching methodologies in physical education.
• Design educational activities and materials for physical education.

Introduction to Technology as a Teaching Strategy

• assess the impact of technology as a teaching strategy or tool on the early childhood curriculum similair to language and literacy, the arts, and physical education.
• Analyze the application of the computer as a tool to create young children's skills and ideas.
• Analyze the application of the computer as a strategy in curriculum content development for young children.