Assignment Task:
1) Describe a positive example of a family or community partnership in which you have been involved. (I Am A Head Start Family Advocate)
2) Once you have read the Course Learning Outcomes (ATTACHED), describe what excites you most about this course and which topics you are unfamiliar with.
Course Syllabus:
Course Description:
This course provides opportunities for students to examine partnerships among early childhood professionals, families, and the communities in which they work. Throughout the course, students evaluate how their daily instructional practices promote positive outcomes for young children. Students explore the various partnerships necessary in early childhood education and discover how these partnerships can support curriculum, learners' development, and the learning environment. Course requirements provide several opportunities for students to examine and discuss the effectiveness of ethical communication and collaboration strategies. Approaching course topics as reflective practitioners, students are able to determine how these specific partnerships fit into their future roles.
Course Design:
ECE 631 is designed for students to examine partnerships among early childhood professionals, families, and the communities in which they work. Furthermore, this course will support students' understanding of the importance of effective partnerships with families within the community and how to effectively create those partnerships. The culminating project will demonstrate competency in the Program Learning Outcomes, through the development of a guidebook and corresponding family presentation. Course activities provide a variety of interactions that allow students to demonstrate their learning of the Course and Program Learning Outcomes, their ability to collaborate with each other, to engage in critical and creative thinking, as well as their ethical reasoning ability.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Examine how home and community partnerships can support early childhood curriculum, learner's development, and the learning environment.
2. Defend the importance of family and community partnerships in early childhood education.
3. Evaluate curriculum, assessment, and instruction in an effort to improve outcomes for young children, families, and communities.
4. Design effective, ethical communication and collaboration strategies as an educational leader in early childhood education.