Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.

Study and evaluation of early childhood models, theory, and practice for children birth to grade 3. An emphasis is placed on the advantages and limitations of early childhood learning theories and how these apply to student learning. Students study major developmental systems, including motor, socio-emotional, and cognitive-linguistic, within a cultural framework. Students review major constructs in contemporary child development,. Students also explore how health, safety, and nutrition influence children’s physical growth, cognitive development, and learning behaviors. Students examine strategies for fostering healthy habits and designing safe and supportive environments.. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.

Examines play and nature-based pedagogies and their application in early childhood education. Play-based learning will be explored from theoretical, social, cultural, historical, social-emotional, cognitive, and developmental perspectives. Students will explore how to assess student understanding through play-based learning. Nature-based learning will explore how children's social, social-emotional, physical, developmental, and cognitive learning is positively influenced when in natural environments. There will be an emphasis on safety in an outdoor setting.

Examines the knowledge and skills required to assess and identify children birth through age 8 with exceptional educational needs and talents. Principles and theories of atypical child growth and development are explored. Develops an understanding of clinical diagnoses common to infants and young children, the knowledge necessary to implement developmentally appropriate assessment tools and to promote parent education and family involvement with young children within an interdisciplinary framework. Explores gifted and talented abilities, culturally diverse backgrounds, and English Language Learners. Emphasizes least restrictive environments and inclusive learning environments. Includes 10 hours of Fieldwork in a 4K inclusive environment. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

This course examines principles, research, and developmentally appropriate practices for guiding the behavior of all young children (typical and atypical) from birth through age eight. Emphasis is placed on creating supportive, inclusive environments that foster positive social and emotional development. Students explore developmentally appropriate strategies to promote self-regulation, empathy, and problem-solving while addressing challenging behaviors through proactive, constructive, and respectful approaches. This course includes an examination of early stress and coping, guided imagery, separation, and loss. Special attention is given to trauma-informed and resilience-based approaches that recognize the impact of adverse experiences on behavior and learning. Students will focus on implementing play-based activities for children birth to age 8 through the integration of creative arts, physical activity, social-emotional development, and mental health, as well as basic techniques for therapeutic play. This. The course includes a required 15-hour pre-student teaching clinical experience in an infant, toddler, and preschool setting. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

This course focuses on developmentally appropriate practices, implementation, and evaluation based on typical and atypical child development and research. Examination of pre-academic and academic skills in a wide range of areas, including mathematics, literacy, environmental science, science, and social studies for young children birth through age 8. The relationship among the developmental domains of cognitive-linguistic, social-emotional, and motor development, literacy, and language development is explored. Through this course, students will develop and write curriculum for literacy, mathematics, science, environmental science, social studies, ¿ne and gross motor, sensory, visual arts, music, and creative movement. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors. This course includes a required 10-hour pre-student teaching clinical experience in a kindergarten classroom setting.

Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW- Superior course.

This course focuses on understanding diversity, family systems, and cultural competence in early childhood education. Students explore how culture, language, socioeconomic factors, and family structure influence children’s development, learning, and identity. Emphasis is placed on developing effective reciprocal communication and collaboration skills for building respectful partnerships with families and colleagues. Students learn to apply culturally responsive and anti-bias practices that promote equity, inclusion, and belonging in early learning environments. The course also addresses strategies for teaching conflict resolution, supporting multilingual learners, and engaging families as active partners in their children’s education. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

Selected topics and problems in the area of early childhood. This course may be taken in several units provided a different topic or problem is studied each time. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

This course emphasizes developing the leadership, business skills, and knowledge that every director must have: funding, budgeting, selecting, training, and supervising staff, housing the program, purchasing the equipment, and implementing a standards-based evaluation for the program. Speci¿c licensing procedures, grant writing, and program accreditation are also covered in considerable depth. Designing accessible programs for both typical and atypically developing children is emphasized. Through this course, students will shadow the director of a daycare facility. A minimum grade of C in this course is required for all education majors.

Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.