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Introduction to Early Childhood

This course is targeted toward individuals wishing to operate a family day care center, and it covers topics including the fundamentals of early childhood development; the importance of play and Developmentally Appropriate Practice; and the significance of building strong family-educator relationships and how to achieve them.

Since a Family Policy Handbook is essential for anyone operating a family day care center, this course includes the development of one of three imperative sections of the handbook. The remaining two sections are created in subsequent courses of the Home-Based Childcare series available on Coursera.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction: Family Policy Handbook Project

The intention of this module is to introduce you to the Home-Based Child Care Final Project, including the rubric which will be used to score your final project submission.

Foundations for Early Childhood

In this module, we define Developmentally Appropriate Practice and discuss the importance of play in early childhood. We also outline the domains of children's learning.

Family Engagement

In this module, we discuss teacher/family relationships, including ways to communicate and involve families in early childhood programs.

Observation and Assessment of Children

In this module, we will explore the use of observations in early childhood settings along with the varied assessments utilized and their purpose. In addition, we will look at developmentally-appropriate assessment strategies.

Guiding Children's Behavior

We will explore factors that influence behavior in this module. We will also discuss the importance of regular, predictable, and positive learning environments along with various guidance techniques for young children.

Inclusion and Diversity

This module is geared toward understanding strategies for teaching in an inclusive setting, recognizing culturally-diverse classrooms and establishing anti-bias curriculum.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines family day care centers in detail, covering their policies, procedures and more

Taught by JoLynn Fiorentino, who recognized for their work in Home-Based Childcare

Takes a creative approach to an otherwise established topic, field, or subject

Useful for personal growth and development

Covers fundamentals of early childhood development

Develops a strong foundation for beginners

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Early Childhood with these activities:

Recall your understanding of early childhood development

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Since the course builds up on your existing knowledge of early childhood development, it's important to review what you already know to ensure you're ready for the course and can grasp new concepts easier.

Browse courses on Early Childhood Development

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Grab a pen, paper, and a cup of your favorite drink.
Start writing down everything you can think of when it comes to early childhood development.
If you need help, consult your notes, books, or do some quick research on the internet.
Review any lectures or readings from previous related courses.

Review 'Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs' by Sue Bredekamp

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood settings, which is a key concept covered in the course.

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Locate a copy of the book.
Read through the book, taking notes on the key concepts.
Summarize the main ideas of each chapter in your own words.
Identify any areas of the book that you find particularly helpful or challenging.

Follow online tutorials on topics related to the course

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Online tutorials can provide additional support and explanations on specific topics covered in the course.

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Search for online tutorials on specific topics related to the course.
Choose tutorials that are reputable and provide clear explanations.
Follow the tutorials carefully and take notes on the key concepts.
Pause the tutorial when needed to reflect on the information or to do some research.
Complete any practice exercises or quizzes associated with the tutorials.

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Join or create a study group

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By joining a study group or creating your own, you get the opportunity to review course material together with your peers.

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Reach out to classmates through the course platform or social media.
Suggest meeting either in person or virtually on a regular basis.
Create a schedule that works for everyone's schedule to ensure consistency.
During each session, take turns discussing the course material and quizzing each other.
Stay engaged and focused during your study sessions.

Complete practice problems related to the course topics

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Working through practice problems will reinforce the concepts covered in the course and identify areas where you still need more practice.

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Check the course materials for any practice problems or assignments.
Search for additional practice problems online or in textbooks.
Set aside dedicated time to work through the problems.
Seek help from your instructor or classmates if you get stuck.
Review your solutions to identify any errors or areas where you need more practice.

Volunteer at a local early childhood center

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Volunteering will provide you with hands-on experience working with children and observing early childhood practices.

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Identify a local early childhood center that is accepting volunteers.
Contact the center and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Complete any necessary training or background checks.
Show up on time for your volunteer shifts and be prepared to work with the children.
Be respectful of the staff and children, and follow all safety guidelines.
Reflect on your experiences and how they relate to the course material.

Create a presentation on a specific topic related to the course

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By creating a presentation, you can synthesize your understanding of a particular topic and share it with others.

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Choose a specific topic related to the course that you are interested in.
Research the topic thoroughly using reliable sources.
Organize your research into a logical flow.
Create visual aids to support your presentation.
Practice your presentation to ensure it is clear and engaging.
Share your presentation with your classmates or the instructor.

Develop a Family Policy Handbook for a family day care center

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Creating a Family Policy Handbook is a major deliverable for this course, and working on it throughout the course will help you synthesize your learning and apply it to a practical scenario.

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Gather information about the different sections of a Family Policy Handbook.
Draft the different sections of the handbook, including policies on child care, discipline, health, and safety.
Get feedback on your draft from your instructor or classmates.
Revise and finalize your handbook.
Submit your handbook to your instructor for assessment.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Early Childhood will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Family Childcare Provider

This course will provide extensive help with learning how to create a Family Policy Handbook, a key document for any Family Childcare Provider. A large part of this role involves creating a structure and set of guidelines for a daycare center, much like a Family Policy Handbook provides.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Childcare Provider

Preschool Teacher

Much like an Early Childhood Educator, Preschool Teachers will lead children in play and learning activities, using Developmentally Appropriate Practices to ensure that children are developing skills and knowledge in all the different domains. This course on the foundations of Early Childhood will help teachers understand how to build strong family relationships, creating an inclusive environment for every child.

See salaries and explore the career path for Preschool Teacher

Early Childhood Educator

An Early Childhood Educator is responsible for implementing and promoting the very same principles that are discussed in this course. Coursework on how to observe and assess children while also guiding their behavior is essential for this role. Early Childhood Educators need to ensure that they are creating a safe and nurturing environment that allows children to play and take part in Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Early Childhood Educator

Childcare Director

Childcare Directors can use the knowledge they gain from this course to better prepare for roles as daycare center managers. Many skills and principles taught in this course are directly applicable to the day-to-day realities of this role's responsibilities. A Childcare Director will likely delegate many of the tasks involved in the functions of a family day care center, such as building relationships with families and using observations to assess children, but they still need to have an in-depth understanding of the "how" and "why" of these parts of a center's operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Childcare Director

Head Teacher

Head Teachers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum for their students, while also supervising other staff members. This course will help prepare someone for this role by giving them the foundation in Early Childhood development and best practices.

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Home Visitor

Home Visitors get to build close relationships with the families they work with, helping to educate parents on how to support their children's development. This course will help Home Visitors better understand what parents are going through and how to provide them with specific guidance and resources to ensure the child's success.

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Nanny

Nannies can use this course to develop a better understanding of early childhood development, how to build a strong relationship with a family, and how to observe and assess a child's development. This course will help a Nanny to create an enriched and supportive learning environment for a child, so that the child's needs are constantly being met.

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Inclusion Specialist

Inclusion Specialists are responsible for helping to create inclusive environments that meet the needs of all children. This course on inclusion and diversity will help Inclusion Specialists understand how to create a space where every child feels valued and supported.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants work with families, schools, and other organizations to provide guidance on early childhood education. This course will help Educational Consultants understand the principles of early childhood development and how to assess and support children's learning.

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Child Development Specialist

Child Development Specialists need to have a strong understanding of early childhood development, as well as how to create and implement family-centered intervention plans. This course will provide a solid foundation in these essential areas.

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Early Intervention Specialist

Early Intervention Specialists help children who have developmental delays or disabilities. This course will provide a foundation in early childhood development, which is essential for understanding how to help these children.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists working with young children may find this course helpful for building a stronger knowledge base about early childhood development. Coursework on how to observe and assess children while also guiding their behavior is essential for this role.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists working with young children may find this course helpful for building a stronger knowledge base about early childhood development. Coursework on how to observe and assess children while also guiding their behavior is essential for this role.

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Social Worker

Social Workers working with children and families may find this course helpful for understanding the principles of early childhood development. Additionally, this course will provide insight into how to best support families and advocate for children's needs.

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Pediatrician

Pediatricians may find this course helpful for developing a better understanding of early childhood development. This knowledge can be helpful when providing guidance to parents on how to support their child's development.

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Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Early Childhood.

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth...

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Comprehensively covers developmentally appropriate practice, which key topic in this course.

Introduction to Early Childhood

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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