Early childhood education: Principles and approaches

Fall 2006 Tuesday 4-6

6 credits
Dr. Judith Gerardi jgerardi@esc.edu
You will learn how current principles of early childhood education developed; how
young children learn, focusing on play and direct experience; the ways in which creative
work enhances learning; how to train your skills of observation; and how to access a
broad range of resources on early childhood education.
This is a six-credit study built primarily on your independent work, as presented in the
learning contract. The group meetings are a point of contact, primarily serving as a
discussion place. Discussion is critical to this study.
At the first session, indicate whether you chose introductory or advanced level credit.
Advanced level credit requires additional ongoing analysis and application.
Main textbooks:
Morrison, G.S. 2004. Early childhood education today (10th ed.). Pearson.
ISBN 0-132-28621-1, stock # 001271 $88.05.
Fromberg, D.P. 2002. Play and meaning in early childhood education. Allyn & Bacon.
ISBN 0-205-29650-5, stock #001182 $42.45.
These books are available at ESCs online bookstore in the mentor section under my
name; the stock numbers indicated above apply to our bookstore only. They are available
from other bookstores as well.
You will be asked to make arrangements to observe a school and a child.
Learning Activities
There are several short written assignments plus a final project in this six-credit study. In
addition to submitting each to me when due, you will make a copy for your early
childhood education portfolio to be submitted at the end of the study.
1. Read, discuss, keep double-entry reading journal of the two books listed above
(Morrison and Fromberg). Be prepared to join discussion of sections assigned for
specified date. A double-entry journal has two columns, one for summaries and one for
your comments and reflections.
2. For chapters 2, 6, 11, 15 in Morrison, select and review an aspect of the topic in one
online journal or website (Linking to Learning). Resources in Chapter 1s Linking to
Learning can be used for subsequent chapters, too.

3. Contact or join an early childhood education professional group (see pages 28-29 in
Morrison). During the period of this study (September-December), keep a log of issues
addressed by that group and of the activities, findings, recommendations, and so on of the
group. Good possibility: National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC), student membership $35. www.naeyc.org.
4. In groups of three, track a topic of interest in the media (newspapers, internet,
television, radio). Groups will regularly report to the class. (Advanced level credit:
analyze findings by comparing to other readings or direct experience and lead at least one
presentation)
5. Browse the Early Childhood Resource and Information Center of the NYPL at 66
Leroy Street, 2nd floor (open Tues 1-8, W Th Fr 1-6, Sat 1-5) or the Education collection
at the Mid-Manhattan Library (2nd floor). Select a book on a topic of interest. Submit
book review, following format distributed in class. Book may be historical (by Dewey or
Montessori, for example); if not, it should have a recent publication date. (Advanced
level credit: oral report to class)
6. Classroom observation, following format presented in class. (Advanced level credit:
analysis of observation in terms of readings)
7. Child observation, following a format presented in Morrison chapter 3.
8. Final project on topic of interest, with my approval. Introductory credit requires a
report. Advanced level requires a research paper.

Early childhood education: Principles and approaches

Fall 2006 Schedule
September 12

Professionalism. Policies. Current Issues.

Morrison chapters 1, 2, Appendix A.

September 19

Child Observation. Morrison ch. 3.

Linking to Learning Assignment #1 due: ch. 2.

September 26

Early Childhood Education History and Theories. M ch.. 4,5.

Child Observation due (described in ch. 3)

October 3

Montessori. Constructivism. M ch. 6 (indep. reading: ch. 7, 8).

October 10

Development in Early Childhood. M ch. 9, 10.

Linking to Learning Assignment #2 due: ch. 6.

October 24

Play and Meaning Making. Fromberg chapters 1-5.

Book Review due.

October 31

Play, Classrooms, and Curriculum. Fromberg ch. 10-14.

November 14

Readiness. Curriculum K-3. Morrison ch. 11,12.

Classroom observation due (format discussed 10/31).

November 21

Social Behavior. M ch. 14 (indep.reading ch. 13)

Linking to Learning #3 due: ch. 11.

November 28

Multicultural Environments. M ch. 15.

December 5

Family and Community. M ch. 16, 17.

Linking to Learning #4 due: ch. 15.

December 12

Young Child in School.

Final project due.

Ongoing student presentations in class: Current issues of professional organizations

(Learning Activity 3) and media reports (Learning Activity 4).