EDEC 410

I. Course Title: Practicum in Preschool of Non-Licensure Setting

II. Course Number: EDEC 410

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: IDEC Major, successful completion of EDEC 322, and 2.5 or higher GPA

V. Course Description: 

A clinical practicum providing experience and opportunity for application of skills working with young children in preschool settings under direct supervision through seven weeks of the semester. Students begin the experience in observation and assistance roles, and work toward assuming full teaching responsibilities. Weekly seminars focus on whole child development while facilitating self-reflection and professionalism.

Note(s): Applied Learning designated course. 

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

This is a clinical experience that provides pedagogical experience for students working with preschool- age children under the direct supervision of an experienced teacher. Students begin the experience in the placement by engaging in observations and helping roles, and gradually work toward assuming full teaching responsibilities. Students develop knowledge and skills in providing optimal environments for learning, including health and nutritional practices, implementing developmentally appropriate assessments, interpreting the assessment data, facilitating reciprocal relationships with children and families, planning and implementing learning activities, and guiding children’s behavior. Weekly seminars are designed to facilitate the development of knowledgeable, skillful, thoughtful, and committed professionals.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

Students will work closely with their cooperating teachers each day. Students will gain experience and skills needed to be effective preschool teachers.

The CEHD Field Experience Handbook provides more detailed information regarding practicum experiences.

Students will also attend weekly seminars.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Goals, objectives, and assignments address the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. 

Students successfully completing this course will demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics and developmental needs of Pre-K age children.
2. Provide appropriate support for individual children’s development and learning.
3. Practice health assessment, prevention of the spread of communicable disease, oral hygiene, reduction of environmental hazards, protection from toxic stress injury prevention, and emergency preparedness.
4. Communicate with family and/or other professionals regarding dietary restrictions, dietary concerns, and other health concerns, including child abuse or neglect.
5. Demonstrate understanding of formal and informal assessment procedures for documenting children’s development and learning.
6. Demonstrate reciprocal relationship-building with children, families, other professionals, and community.
7. Utilize learning strategies that stimulate curiosity, promote thinking, and encourage participation in exploration and play.
8. Provide developmentally appropriate learning activities that facilitate whole child development. 
9. Adapt tasks and interactions to maximize language development, conceptual understanding, and skill competencies within each child’s zone of proximal development.
10. Provide firsthand experiences and opportunities to explore, examine, and investigate real materials in authentic context for children.
11. Select materials and equipment, arrange physical space, and plan schedules and routines to stimulate and facilitate development.
12. Collaborate with families, colleagues, and/or community members to construct proper learning environments.
13. Demonstrate the building of positive and nurturing relationships with each child based on respect, trust, and acceptance of individual differences.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

1. Attendance in placement and weekly seminar participation
2. Log of field placement activities
3. Assigned field experience activities as described in CEHD Field Experience Handbook
4. Written reflections on instruction
5. Student self-analyses
6. Feedback from cooperating professionals in field sites and university supervisor
7. Professional Characteristics and Dispositions Evaluation
8. Lesson plan assessment

Review and Approval

August 2020

March 01, 2021