EEC 1603 - Early Childhood Development

College of Education

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2025 (645)

Course Description

This course introduces the study of developmental processes in the young child from conception to age eight, with an emphasis on understanding the sequential dynamics of growth, development, behavior, and understanding the uniqueness of each child. Students will have an opportunity to observe and evaluate a young child and produce a comprehensive case study to understand the learning processes occurring in multiple contexts (family, culture, language, and community) in early learning settings. A Case Study of a child between the ages of 18 and 60 months is required.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will analyze the developmental period of early childhood from conception to eight years of age by:
    1. reviewing current research on the processes and trajectory of growth and development to developmentally appropriate activities
    2. examining the various developmental domains: social and emotional, physical, language and literacy, creative arts, mathematics, science, cognition and social studies
    3. explaining the roles of biology and environment in early childhood development
    4. correlating major theoretical perspectives of early childhood development to practice
  2. The student will examine children as individuals with unique developmental variations, experiences, strengths, and the capacity to make choices by:
    1. observing a child with various recording methods to recognize developmental levels from birth through eight years of age
    2. identifying developmental variations among children
    3. exploring individual supports for a child 18-60 months
  3. The student will apply child development and learning processes which occur in multiple contexts (family, culture, language, community, and early learning settings) by:
    1. discussing how close relationships and attachment to adults and peers affect early childhood growth and development
    2. choosing family involvement activities that support young children and their families
    3. identifying positive and productive staff and family interactions in early childhood care and education settings
    4. interpreting how trauma and stress can impact a child’s learning and development
  4. The student will investigate the sequential growth and development in early childhood by:
    1. presenting a comprehensive case study
    2. examining the Florida Early Learning Development Standards birth-age 4
    3. locating local agencies for a child with identified developmental delays

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

Revised 7/6/83 Revised 8/84 DBT 10/20/92 Effective Session 19922 3 YR C&I Review 1992-93 C&I 11/21/95; DBT 12/19/95 Effective Session 19961 3 Year Review 2000. C&I 11/8/05, BOT 12/20/05, Effective 20052(0360)-2004 3 yr rev. C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: 02/18/2014, Effective Term: Fall 2014 (490). C&I Approval: 11/21/2014, BOT Approval: 02/17/2015, Effective Term: Fall 2015 (505). C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2025 (645)

Related Programs

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