EEC 3413 - Working With Families in Early Childhood Education

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2026 (660)

Requisites

Admission to Educational Studies and Community Leadership (Bachelor of Science) (EDST-BS)
Early Childhood Education subplan or
Admission to Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) with Infused ESOL and Reading Endorsements (Bachelor of Science) (PKPED-BS)

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with a general understanding of how to support families within early childhood settings and the broader community. Students will explore variations in family structures and lifestyles. The course offers both historical and contemporary perspectives to promote thoughtful reflection and practices.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will compare fundamental individual and community rights in both historical and current contexts by:
    1. defining personal and professional attitudes on varying lifestyles and backgrounds.
    2. researching foundational concepts that support positive relationships and respectful interaction.
    3. analyzing laws and documents that promote family well-being and fair treatment.
  2. The student will evaluate the characteristics of families and the environments in which they live and interact by:
    1. identifying differences in family structures and values.
    2. summarizing the range of family experiences in the local area.
    3. describing various home and community environments.
  3. The student will explore strategies for teaching in classrooms with learners from varied backgrounds by:
    1. summarizing key instructional strategies for working with learners from different life experiences.
    2. describing effective communication approaches for engaging all families.
    3. examining curriculum models that address the needs of learners with a wide range of experiences.
  4. The student will plan ways to empower and support families by:
    1. identifying differences in family lifestyle.
    2. explaining the importance of empowering families.
    3. describing the support services that are available to accommodate families.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 75% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 4/28/09, BOT 6/19/09, Effective 20091(0415). Submitted as EEC 3417; SCNS approved as 3413. C&I 4/27/2010, BOT 6/15/2010, Effective 20093(0425). C&I 9/16/2011, BOT 10/2011, Effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 09/16/2011, BOT Approval: 10/01/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550).
C&I Approval: 06/30/2025, BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2026 (660)