Description:

This methods course is designed for students who are, or will be, working in an early childhood education setting and parents and caregivers who desire to develop an intellectually challenging environment for school age children. The focus of the course is on curriculum areas for the school-aged child and extended day and summer programs. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify the specific challenges that educators, families and children face in society.
2. Describe the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development of the school age child.
3. Interpret cognitive development theories.
4. Interpret psychoanalytic and psychosocial developmental theories.
5. Describe and implement Developmentally Appropriate Practices.
6. Describe, design, and implement curriculum for the school age children in extended day and summer settings.
7. Describe ways in which the physical environment impacts learning experiences.
8. Evaluate school age accreditation and standards for school age problems.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Educator, Family, and the Community
   A. Educators
      1. Identify the characteristics, education, and experience
requirements of an effective educator
      2. Describe and discuss the early childhood education professional
code of ethics.
      3. Outline the educator's role in child development.
      4. Discuss and describe the collaborative effort involved in working
with the school age child.
   B. Family
      1. Discuss the changing definition of a family.
      2. Analyze how family composition affects children developmentally.
      3. Describe and discuss the effects of home and community
environments on children.
      4. Discuss the role of the educators in relation to parents.
   C. Community
      1. Discuss the significance of using community resources.
      2. Review the advantages and disadvantages of using community
resources.
      3. Describe the dynamics of planning activities that facilitate both
senior citizens and children.
      4. List ways to use resources outside the early education facility.
      5. Identify ways to make a volunteer program effective.  

II. Overview of the School Age Child's Development
   A. Physical Development
      1. Describe the characteristics of physical development specific to
the school age child.
      2. Identify the causes for childhood eating disorders.
      3. Explain common health challenges of the school age children.
      4. Define and discuss gross motor and fine motor skills.
      5. Differentiate motor skills due to gender, body size, and brain
maturation.
      6. Explain how the environment contributes to differences in
physical development.
   B. Cognitive and Language Development 
      1. Describe Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory, the behaviorists'
learning theory, and Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory.
      2. Discuss the school age child and intelligence and achievement
testing.
      3. Describe the language development of school age children and of
multi-lingual children. 
   C. Psychosocial Development
      1. Describe Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory, Erikson's Psychosocial
Theory, and Kohlberg's Moral Development Theory.
      2. Define and discuss social competence.
      3. Outline strategies for conflict resolution for the school age
child.
      4. Define and describe ways to enhance self-esteem and self-image.
      5. Explore ways to enhance cooperation and effective ways for
children to communicate.
      6. Identify and discuss challenging behaviors.
   D. Working with Children with Special Needs
      1. Describe and discuss categories of children with special needs.
      2. Interpret the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Individual
Educational Plan (IEP).
      3. Explain the importance of collaboration with other
professionals.
 
III. Curriculum Development
   A. Program Planning
      1. Describe developmentally appropriate practice.
      2. Explain the difference between the holistic and academic
approach.
      3. Discuss the significance of curriculum planning.
      4. List the goals for planning for school age children.
      5. Describe the components of an effective program.
      6. Identify the criterion for selecting equipment and materials for
a school age program.
   B. Learning Environment
      1. Describe the characteristic of a developmentally appropriate
indoor space and outdoor space.
      2. Consider how the learning environment impacts the curriculum.
   C. Games and Play
      1. Discuss how games can enhance development.
      2. Plan and implement games for outdoors and indoors.
      3. Describe guidelines for making games enjoyable for school age
children, including safety guidelines.
      4. Discuss play and the learning process.
   D. Creative Curriculum 
      1. Discuss the significance of art, music, and drama in a school age
program.
      2. Describe how to plan and implement activities for art, music and
drama in a school age program.
      3. Evaluate the significance of aesthetics.
   E. Science and Math
      1. Explain how science and math enhance cognitive development.
      2. Identify the educator's role in facilitating science and math
activities.
      3. Plan and implement appropriate science and math activities using
the process approach.
   F. Communication
      1. Outline strategies to enhance reading and writing for the school
age child.
      2. Identify ways to encourage appropriate and effective verbal
communication.
      3. Discuss ways to integrate technology into the school age
program.
   G. Motor Development
      1. Describe, plan, and implement gross motor and fine motor
activities for the school age child.
      2. Plan and implement age appropriate fitness experiences.
   H. Nutrition   
      1. Explain nutritional guidelines for the school age child.
      2. Plan and implement age-appropriate nutritional activities and
health experiences.

IV. School Age Program Quality 
   A. School Age Programs
      1. Explain the goals for school age care.
      2. Determine methods used to upgrade the quality of the school age
program.
   B. Accreditation
      1. Describe and discuss information about the National School Age
Care Alliance (NSACA) and its standards.
      2. Describe and discuss the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Association for Family Child Care
(NAFCC), and the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST).
   C. Credentials
      1. Describe and discuss the significance of teacher credentials.
      2. Discuss how a credential can enhance the curriculum development,
child's development, and overall learning environment.
      3. Describe and discuss the Child Development Associate (CDA).
   D. Evaluation
      1. Communicate the benefits of program evaluation and how it affects
the overall school age program.
      2. Explain the School Age Care Environmental Rating Scale
(SACERS).

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Examinations                  30% of grade
Eight directed assignments    40% of grade
Materials File                20% of grade
Applied Activities            10% of grade
            
Grade Criteria:
   A = 100-90%  
   B =  89-80%    
   C =  79-70%    
   D =  69-60%    
   F =  59- 0%      

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.