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Introduction |
The Early Childhood Education Program is committed to the growth and well being of children from birth to eight-years of age. The program is also dedicated to the professional education and personal development of early childhood teachers who will use their moral purpose and vision to advocate for children. In guiding young children’s learning and development, early childhood teachers must sensitively interact with a diversity of populations: the young child, parents, guardians, paraprofessionals, community organizations, and others whose actions affect children. Moreover, they must meet the needs and demands of diverse communities and cultivate intellectually vital, socially just, and aesthetically rich individuals.
The Early Childhood Education Program envisions the teacher as a professional educator who understands the vulnerability of the early years and realizes the impact of these early experiences on later development and learning.
The Early Childhood Education Program offers a course of study designed to engage teachers in collaborative work that is interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and inquiry-based. In-class didactic experiences and activities, field-work placements and student teaching are all planned to increase candidate awareness and sensitivity to the development of children and to provide insight into the physical, social, emotional, cultural, intellectual and creative life of a child. In addition, differences of culture, language, ethnic background, gender and ability among children permeate every aspect of the curriculum. Candidates will cultivate their own practice by engaging in action research and reflective experiences, culminating with the articulation of a personal vision and ready to become contributors to the advancement of the field.
Candidates enrolled in the Early Childhood Program will compile a portfolio, which will be focused on discovery, insight, understanding, and application of major issues related to the field of early childhood. The portfolio will be developed on an on-going basis, starting the semester of enrollment and finishing it at the end of the program.
Program Overview
Three tracks are offered in the Early Childhood Education Program:
M.A. in Early Childhood Education Pre-Certification
M.A. in Early Childhood Education In-Service
Post-Graduate Advanced Certificate Program
Philosophy
The Early Childhood program envisions the teacher as a professional educator who understands the vulnerability of the early years and realizes the impact of these early experiences on later development and learning. Early childhood educators must possess a variety of values, skills, and tools including:
- an awareness and sensitivity about family, community, and educational influences on a child's development, personality, aspirations, and life opportunities.
- an active understanding of culture, language, ethnicity, gender, and ability differences and the importance of these differences in the educational process.
- the ability to reflect on the role of a teacher and on how this role is affected by multiple contexts.
- a desire for continual and collaborative professional growth.
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Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Dorothy Phalen
Early Childhood Education Program Director
Harvey Hall, Room 232
p - 516.877.4025
e - phalen2@adelphi.edu
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