Early Childhood Education
19 courses · Woodland Community College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
ECE-1A Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 120
Historical context and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practices in early care and education. Examines the role of the early childhood educator, identification of best practices for environmental design, curriculum, and teaching strategies. Explores teacher-child relationships, professional ethics, career pathways and professional standards.
ECE-1B Introduction to Curriculum
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Satisfactory completion of ECE1A and CDEVC1000
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 130
Developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for young children. Explores teaching strategies and curriculum development based on theoretical frameworks, observation, and assessment. Emphasizes the teacher’s role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum, including all content areas.
ECE-2A Admin I: Programs in Early Childhood Education
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the administration of early childhood programs. Covers program types, budget, management, regulations, laws, development and implementation of policies and procedures. Examines administrative tools, philosophies, and techniques needed to organize, open, and operate an early care and education program.
ECE-2B Admin II: Personnel and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- Satisfactory completion of ECE2A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Effective strategies for personnel management and leadership in early care and education settings. Includes legal and ethical responsibilities, supervision techniques, professional development, and reflective practices for a diverse and inclusive early care and education program.
ECE-4 Positive Social Development in Young Child
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Designed to help teachers and caregivers of young children to establish relationships with children and apply principles of behavior management. Basic principles include helping young children develop positive self-esteem, enter into group play, form friendships and learn pro-social behavior.
ECE-7 Creative Materials
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Creative activities for young children (2-8 years old) including the planning and implementation of painting, drawing, printmaking, weaving, stitchery, collage, sculpture, puppet-making, and modeling materials.
ECE-8 Worldwide Arts for Children
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 lecture hours, 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Culturally sensitive and diverse art activities for young children including planning and integrating projects across the curriculum. Construction of age-appropriate art objects representative of cultures and regions in West Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Mexico, Central America, South America, Caribbean Islands, the United States and Canada.
ECE-10 Health, Safety, and Nutrition
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 220
Laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in care and education settings for children birth through middle childhood. Includes the teacher’s role in prevention strategies, nutrition and meal planning, integrating health safety and nutrition experiences into daily routines, and overall risk management.
ECE-11 Observation and Assessment
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for college-level composition course
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 200
This course focuses on the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies to document development, growth, play, and learning to join with families and professionals in promoting children’s success. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools are explored. Child observations will be conducted and analyzed.
ECE-14 The School Age Child
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Developmental characteristics and needs of the 5-12 year old child at home or in a group care setting: includes developmental stages; equitable program environment; developmentally appropriate curriculum, activities and materials; meeting the diverse and inclusive needs of families; classroom management; communication techniques; administrative requirements and skills; and characteristics of caregivers.
ECE-17 Introduction to Children with Special Needs
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduces the variations in development of children with special needs ages birth through eight and the resulting impact on families. Includes an overview of historical and societal influences, laws relating to children with special needs, and the identification and referral process.
ECE-18 Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Covers curriculum and intervention strategies for working with children with special needs in partnership with their families. Focuses on the use of observation and assessment in meeting the individualized needs of children in inclusive and natural environments. Includes the role of the teacher as a professional working with families, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and practicing cultural competence.
ECE-27 Teaching in a Diverse Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- Eligibility for college-level composition course
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 230
Examination of the development of social identities in diverse societies including theoretical and practical implications of oppression and privilege as they apply to young children, families, programs, classrooms and teaching. Various classroom strategies will be explored emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches supporting all children in becoming competent members of a diverse society. Course includes self-examination and reflection on issues related to social identity, stereotypes and bias, social and educational access, media and schooling.
ECE-31 Child, Family, Community
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- CDEV 110
An examination of the developing child in a societal context focusing on the interrelationship of family, school and community and emphasizes historical and socio-cultural factors. The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families.
ECE-37 Adult Supervision
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Methods and principles of supervising student teachers, volunteers, staff, and other adults in early care and education settings. Emphasis is on the roles and development of early childhood professionals as mentors and leaders.
ECE-39 Children’s Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
An introduction to children’s literature: history, elements, and types of books of interest to children from birth through eight years old. Students will read, share, and plan activities around classical, cultural, and award-winning books. Methods of selecting and evaluating books will be applied.
ECE-42 Infant/Toddler Development
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
A study of infants and toddlers from pre-conception to age three including physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth and development. Applies theoretical frameworks to interpret behavior and interactions between heredity and environment. Emphasizes the role of family and relationships in development.
ECE-43 Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Study of current theory and research to the care and education of infants and toddlers in group settings. Emphasis will be placed on the essential policies, principles and practices that lead to quality care and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children birth to 36 months.
ECE-45 Practicum in Early Childhood Education
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours, 108 lab hours, 108 supervised practicum hours
- Prerequisite
- Satisfactory completion of CDEVC1000, ECE1A, ECE1B and ECE31
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- ECE 210
Demonstration of developmentally appropriate early childhood program planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of ECE/CD faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Reflective practice will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning. Includes exploration of career pathways, professional development, and teacher responsibilities.