Early Childhood Development and Education

This rigorous major is offered in conjunction with the University of Idaho College of Education.

You will learn the fundamentals of human development so that you understand how children grow and learn. Study how to provide activities and environments that support each child’s unique intellectual, social and personal developmental needs. Practice and interpret formal and informal assessments.

In addition to teaching, you will be well prepared to work as a developmental specialist, preschool teacher or teacher in grades K-3, including special education.

In class, learn the processes by which children become adept at using language, thinking, feeling and relating to others. Explore educational theories and strategies for teaching. Laboratory classes on observation, curriculum and assessment include weekly hands-on clinics for applying your knowledge in community settings. Observe and interact with children, create stimulating learning environments and cooperate with parents to support their children.

Three required semester-long internships will give you experience with children in different age groups.

Prepare for Success

This major is a good fit if you can see yourself:

• Working with young children, including children with special developmental and learning needs.
• Communicating and partnering with parents.
• Helping to make childhood a satisfying and enriching time of life.

• Volunteer in your community.
• Work with children or other special-needs groups.
• Develop your leadership skills in student office.

Your First Year

Your first year, you will hone your communication skills with course work in writing and public speaking. You will also take classes that focus on infancy and early childhood development.

More advanced major courses include foundations of literacy development, elementary education and curriculum assessment.

See the four-year plan.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you’ll have job possibilities like:

• Teacher: Manage your own classroom in a preschool or elementary school. Create an innovative, exciting and developmentally appropriate education program for young children.
• Special educator: Work in schools to provide education and therapeutic services to children with special needs.
• Developmental specialist: Provide education services, early intervention services and therapeutic interaction for infants and toddlers.

Opportunities

The need for professionals who work with young children is increasing. Certified graduates receive starting salaries of $30,000 in public and private schools, programs such as Head Start, and infant-toddler programs associated with public agencies.

You may also choose to continue your education. Earn an advanced degree in education or therapy studies.

Current Research

Gather, organize and analyze data for your professor’s research. Observe snack and meal times at a day care center for a study on feeding young children in group settings. Administer surveys for a study on how single parents balance work and family. Prepare and disseminate materials for innovative new curriculums for children.

Activities

Palouse Area Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children: Advocate for the needs of young children, receive mentoring, and attend local early childhood workshops and conferences.
Family and Consumer Sciences Club: Attend an annual state conference and meet professionals in the field.
Phi Upsilon Omicron: Join the national honor society in family and consumer sciences.

Hands-On Experience

Intern. Get practical experience with three required internships with different age groups. For example:

1. Birth to age three: Work in an infant and toddler program one-one-one with parents to help them understand significant developmental stages.
2. Preschool: Help a teacher assess students and meet with parents.
3. Kindergarten through third grade: Work with a teacher to plan curricula for children with unique developmental needs.

• Tanzania: Teach children in an orphanage.
• Ecuador: Make shadow boxes with children in a day care center.
• Taiwan: Observe an elementary school classroom and meet the teachers.

Volunteer. Make a difference. Tutor at a local elementary school. Read, sing or play with children at a Head Start program. Paint the playroom at a homeless shelter.

Facilities

The on-campus Child Development Laboratory offers a real-world setting to practice and learn.