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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.

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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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Reviews summary

Foundational early childhood for daycare operators

According to students, this course offers a strong foundation in early childhood development, particularly praising its deep dives into Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), Family Engagement, Guiding Children's Behavior, and Inclusion and Diversity. Learners frequently highlighted the well-structured modules, clear lectures, and the immediate relevance of the practical application provided by the Family Policy Handbook project, which many found to be a tangible outcome for aspiring family daycare operators. While ideal for those seeking a comprehensive beginner's introduction, some more experienced learners found it to be more introductory than expected, suggesting it might require additional study for advanced strategies. The course is also noted as being part of a series, meaning the handbook project is incomplete without subsequent courses.

The course is foundational and part of a larger curriculum.

"...it makes you realize you need the other courses for completion."

"The handbook project is relevant, but it feels incomplete without the subsequent courses."

"The course does a good job of setting the stage for future learning in the series."

Perfect for newcomers, less suitable for advanced learners.

"The course felt very introductory, almost too much. ...It's clearly for absolute beginners."

"The course content is decent, but some parts felt a bit basic if you already have some background in education."

"While it touched on many important topics, it didn't go into enough depth for me."

Modules are well-structured with clear explanations.

"All modules were well-structured and easy to follow."

"The lectures were clear and the readings supplemented the material effectively."

"Everything was explained clearly."

Offers a tangible Family Policy Handbook project.

"The Family Policy Handbook project, though just one section, gave me a tangible outcome."

"The focus on practical application, like the Family Policy Handbook, sets this course apart."

"The Family Policy Handbook section was a great practical exercise."

"The project helped apply the knowledge."

Strong on DAP, family engagement, behavior guidance, and inclusion.

"...appreciated the detailed discussion on Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)..."

"The module on Family Engagement was incredibly insightful, offering practical strategies..."

"The information on Inclusion and Diversity was handled very well, emphasizing anti-bias curriculum..."

"From DAP to behavior management, everything was explained clearly."

Provides essential knowledge for early childhood education.

"This course provided a fantastic foundation for understanding early childhood development."

"Overall, a very solid introduction. The content on guiding children's behavior was especially useful..."

"Excellent course! ...As someone new to the field, I feel much more confident."

"This course covers all the essential aspects of early childhood education that I needed to know before opening my daycare."

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

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

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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Home Visitor

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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Child Development Specialist

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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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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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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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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist

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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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pediatrician

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

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational early childhood for daycare operators

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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