EEC 2271 - Introduction to Working with Young Children with Special Needs

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2023 (625)

Course Description

This course introduces the student to the study of young children, birth through five years of age, with special needs, within the context of their family unit. The content includes the study of possible causes of developmental delays, disabilities or established conditions; a historical overview of federal laws; understanding biases and attitudes toward children with disabilities and the recognition of the importance of early identification during critical periods of development. (Note: Five (5) hours of field experience in a licensed, professional early childhood care and education setting required.)

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will identify the causes of developmental delays, disabilities and other established conditions by:
    1. summarizing how development is affected by many factors including genetics, chromosomal abnormalities and biological or environmental factors.
    2. defining the range of possible outcomes for children as the result of these adverse conditions.
    3. discussing the role that early intervention and prevention programs play in minimizing the at-risk conditions and occurrence of secondary disabilities.
  2. The student will summarize the history and importance of early intervention services and care of children with disabilities and other special needs by:
    1. defining the social and political interests that influenced the passage of federal legislation for children with special needs and their families.
    2. identifying the central issues outlined in major federal laws that pertain to the care and education of young children with disabilities.
    3. describing the moral, ethical and biological basis for providing services to young children with disabilities in their natural settings and for including them with their typically developing peers to the greatest extent possible.
  3. The student will analyze the consequences of positive versus negative early experiences on the child's brain development by:
    1. describing early brain development.
    2. recognizing the developmental functions associated with specific areas of the brain.
    3. discussing how early relationships with significant others affects brain development.
    4. describing the role of sensory systems and their development and use during the pre-natal period and first year of life.
  4. The student will identify common biases and attitudes toward children with disabling conditions by:
    1. describing negative attitudes and biases toward persons with disabilities.
    2. summarizing research about the development of bias in children.
    3. discussing the benefits and characteristics of inclusive environments and their role in the development of positive attitudes toward persons with disabilities.
    4. listing curriculum models that provide inclusive experiences for all children in an early care and education setting.
  5. The student will describe the importance of strong family-professional relationships in early childhood special education by:
    1. describing strategies for communicating with families.
    2. listing strategies for communicating with families.
    3. creating activities that include families in the care and education of their children.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 9/13/05, BOT 10/18/05, Effective 20051(0355). Online 20092(0420). C&I Approval: 05/31/2013, BOT Approval: 06/17/2014, Effective Term: Fall 2014 (490).
C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Fall 2023 (625)

Related Programs

  1. Early Child Development (CHDEV-CT) (640) (Active)
  2. Infant and Toddler Specialization Certificate (ITSP-CT) (495) (Active)