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Saint Xavier University Chicago Campus Residence Halls

Early Childhood Education


Prerequisite/Corequisite Key

P = Course must be taken previously C = Course must be taken concurrently E = Course can be taken previously or concurrently
(RQ) = Required (RM) = Recommended  

EDGEC 503

Foundations, Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Literacy and Social Studies in K-2

3 credit hours

Candidates will examine and use a variety of texts that support students' learning of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The course also examines the content and methods of teaching social science in diverse and inclusive settings. The course explores Common Core Standards for English/Language Arts and the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science. An emphasis will be placed on holistic learning, technology integration, and developmentally appropriate practice.

EDGEC 504

Foundations, Curriculum and Methods of Mathematics and Science in K-2

3 credit hours

The course prepares teacher candidates to facilitate children's development of mathematical thinking, including number concepts, geometry, probability, and measurement. The Common Core Standards for Mathematics as well as the four domains of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will be explored. An emphasis will be placed on holistic learning, technology integration, and developmentally appropriate practice.

EDGEC 506

Advanced Child Development

3 credit hours

This course focuses on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of the individual from infancy through childhood. Major historical influences and theories in human development are explored. Students engage in research-based readings on varied topics and stages of development. 5 field experience hours required.

EDGEC 507

Methods of Teaching Young Children with Special Needs

2 credit hours

This course provides an overview of early childhood special education history and philosophy, reflected in current practices, curriculum development, materials selection, assistive technology use, adapted assessment, and intervention planning in the context of collaborative services to young children with disabilities.

EDGEC 509

Child, Family, and Multicultural Community

2 credit hours

Family and community contexts surrounding young children, as well as legal, religious, and political institutions that affect families and children are explored. Supportive relationships with families of young children with and without special needs, are emphasized. Family-centered services for diverse families are explored. Ethics in early childhood education, health and safety, and mandated reporting are discussed. Students engage in service-learning.

EDGEC 511

Infant and Toddlers: Environments, Programs, and Activities

2 credit hours

This course focuses on creating responsive environments that support the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children aged birth to three. Environmental designs and the facilitating play that fosters the development of language and literacy, creative expression, and mathematical and scientific thinking. Family-partnerships, attachment theory, health, and safety are discussed as vital to early care and education.

EDGEC 512

Assessment of Instruction and Learning

3 credit hours

This course is designed to address the assessment and evaluation of student progress toward targeted standards, learning objectives and competencies. The development of interpretive skills across learning objectives is stressed. Topics addressed include: standards-based assessment, standardized tests and their interpretation, performance assessment, portfolio assessment, self-evaluation and dissemination of assessment results. Offered as needed.

EDGEC 513

Educational Research Design and Development

3 credit hours

This course initiates the graduate study research requirement. Course content examines the foundational assumptions, elements, methods and designs of educational research through both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. A statement of original research inquiry, a literature review, and a plan for investigating a research problem are developed. Offered as needed.

EDGEC 521

Assessment of Typically and Atypically Developing Young Children

2 credit hours

This course introduces students to developmental assessment of typically and atypically developing children aged birth to 8, in the context of developmentally appropriate practice. The ethical use of assessment data to plan instruction, monitor children's progress on developmental and curricular goals, measure achievement, and gauge children's engagement in learning are stressed. Candidates practice administering various early childhood assessments and reporting results.

EDGEC 551

Physical, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood

2 credit hours

This course focuses on the cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, and physical development of children from birth to Grade 2. The role of general health, nutrition, relationships, culture, and play in shaping development are discussed. Candidates explore tools for observing and analyzing the development of children from birth to Grade 2.

EDGEC 552

Inquiry and Play: Birth-Kindergarten

2 credit hours

This course focuses on the centrality of inquiry and play in children's learning. Integrated and developmentally appropriate experiences that support children's construction of knowledge and interpersonal relationships are stressed. Candidates explore multiple ways to observe and document learning experiences to support reflective teaching and the development of children's critical thinking skills.

EDGEC 553

Integrated Curriculum and Methods in PreK

2 credit hours

This course focuses on the curriculum, methods, materials, and technology for the integrated teaching of mathematics, science, social studies, literacy, and the fine arts to young children in diverse and inclusive settings. An integrated approach to teaching the importance of play, creativity, technology, and the physical and interpersonal environment are discussed. Students use observation and documentation to plan, assess, adapt, and reflect on learning experiences.

EDGEC 554

Emergent Literacy and Language Development

2 credit hours

This course discusses language and literacy development in young children. Verbal and non-verbal language acquisition in children are examined. Emphasis is on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Instructional strategies, technology-use and varied learning materials to promote language and literacy development in inter-disciplinary contexts with attention to the interrelated processes of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, are emphasized.