This is Early Childhood Education

Course Description

Students become teachers in our certified preschools as they research, create, and implement lesson plans while learning effective preschool teaching techniques. Upon graduation, students will have a portfolio of work to present to colleges and/or employers along with early childhood certifications.

Prerequisites at the Time of Junior Year Enrollment

Minimum of 7 core credits (1.5 must be English), on track to graduate

Credits & Certifications Offered

High School Credit	3 CTE Year One 3 CTE Year Two
College Credit	St. Louis Community College - 6 credits
Certifications	American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) - Early Childhood Certification CPR Certification First Aid Certification ServSafe CDA

*College credit and certification are not guaranteed. Their attainment is dependent on student performance in both the course and on external industry assessments. All certifications are through external agencies and the accommodations permitted will vary from assessment to assessment. Additionally, students must participate in the full two years of the program to be potentially eligible for all certifications listed.

How Will My Time Be Spent?

Program Year Classroom Time Lab Time

CTE Year One 26%-50% 51%-75%

CTE Year Two 26%-50% 51%-75%

Program Year	Classroom Time	Lab Time
CTE Year One	26%-50%	51%-75%
CTE Year Two	26%-50%	51%-75%

Tech is Real World Learning

Students in this program learn through the use of a variety of industry grade tools and equipment and texts. Their real world labs also require uniforms and personal protective equipment.

Tools & Equipment

Chromebooks

Google Classroom

Kitchen equipment

Lesson plan books

Portfolio

Art supplies

Academic Materials

Working With Young Children, 2016

Google Classroom, scholarly articles and lesson planning tools

Uniform Requirements

Closed-toe, flat shoes

South Tech ECC t-shirt and/or hoodie sweatshirt (unaltered) with shirt long enough to tuck in

Solid color jeans or cotton long pants without tears, holes or fraying edges

Essential Skills Needed for Success

Students learn the entry level skills necessary to prepare for post-secondary education and the highly competitive world of work. Traditionally, successful students have mastered the processing and/or physical skills listed below prior to enrollment.

Core Essential Skills

Read human behavior and make safe choices; must be able to follow all safety rules and assume personal responsibility; patience and tolerance of children and their behaviors

Remain professional in a high-stress environment

Control temper and regulate emotions in high-stress situations

Empathy and ability to express compassion

Critical thinking: reading and analyzing text, articles, etc, at a postsecondary level

Creativity and the ability to think outside the box to come up with new ideas or solutions to problems

Work individually and in groups; positive and professional attitude

Tolerate the noise level and smells of an early childcare education environment

Able to climb, lift, bend down, sit on the floor, and handle taxing physical activity, including high places, small spaces, extreme temperatures, and dirty environments

For a complete list of essential skills, please review the Course Overview Guide.