The Early Childhood Education curriculum is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and theoretical knowledge to work in a variety of facilities for young children. The curriculum includes the cognitive areas of theory, history of child development, psychology and sociology as they relate to the developing child. Additionally, training will include practical areas of internships, and planning of developmentally appropriate activities.

Mission

This program is designed to satisfy state requirements for positions as child care teacher/assistant, teacher aide and child care director. The curriculum includes the cognitive areas of theory, history of child development, psychology and sociology as they relate to the developing infant. This career program is for students interested in working with children from birth to 8 years of age and a transfer program for students interested in elementary or secondary education. Because South Suburban College is an entitled institution, the courses in the certificate program can be used to meet Illinois Gateways ECE credentials – Levels II through IV.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Early Childhood Education Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for all children, demonstrating understanding of child development theories.
• Students will be able to explain how to engage in respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower children and families.
• Students will be able to identify and utilize formal and informal assessment strategies to positively influence children’s development.
• Students will be able to implement a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Students will be able to construct lesson plans to provide developmentally appropriate experiences.
• Students will be able to demonstrate ethical guidelines of the early childhood profession to maintain standards of professional conduct.

NOTE: Note: All students who intend to be an elementary or secondary school certified teacher must consult a counselor and plan their programs at South Suburban College very carefully to ensure that:

1. they transfer without loss of credit to the senior institution of their choice.
2. they fulfill the new General Education requirements for teacher certification by the State of Illinois.

Early Children Education Degrees

Early Children Education Degree (CHD.AAS)

Teacher Aide Special Education AAS Degree (CHD.AAS.SPED)

The program meets the needs of the developmentally disabled by exploring the problems, skills, and current trends in special education theory in the classroom through internships and in facilities especially staffed to educate the individual as having special needs.

Basic Certificates

Early Childhood Education Level II (CHD.BASIC)

As an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity entitled institution, this 18 credit hour curriculum will qualify students for the Illinois Gateways ECE credential – Level II. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate program will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in early childhood care and education.

Early Childhood Education Level III (CHD.BASIC.ECEIII)

As an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity entitled institution, this 27 credit hour curriculum will qualify students for the Illinois Gateways ECE credential – Level III. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate program will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in early childhood care and education.