Early Childhood Education Diploma

This course allows students to develop and practice their verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills, which are essential for maintaining positive interpersonal relationships in an early learning environment. A broad range of communication topics and strategies will be introduced, including professionalism, diversity and inclusion, critical thinking, teamwork, and collaboration. Students will also explore conflict resolution, difficult conversations, and professional writing.

This course focuses on the professional use of technology and interactive media to enhance daily operations in an early learning environment. Students will explore the use of the internet, digital tools, and interactive media available to early childhood educators. Discussion will include web-based applications and software, as well as digital technology to aid and enhance communication with families and the community.

This introductory course examines the fundamentals of early childhood education. Students will explore the importance of healthy and safe environments for children and their families while considering pertinent legislation, regulations, standards and best practices. Students will develop a personal philosophy of early childhood education based on their understanding and evaluation of the course topics. Course theory will be reinforced using Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework.

This course uses a whole-child approach to introduce students to the overall development of children. This approach addresses a child's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth, with a focus on pre-natal development and an introduction to atypical development. To understand multiple perspectives, the material is viewed through diverse lenses. Students will explore key theories and principles of child development. Throughout the course, students will learn to create a healthy, safe, and engaging learning environment that supports the development of essential life skills and growth toward the child's full potential.

In this practical extension of previous courses, students will explore the role and importance of play to children's developmental stages. Students will be encouraged to consider Flight's holistic play-based goals when given the opportunity to apply their learning of child development, childhood wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion. Beyond those concepts, students should apply language and digital literacy when planning and designing safe and age-appropriate play environments and activities for children. Both indoor and outdoor play experiences will be explored.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 200

This course builds upon previous learning, as students continue to explore the stages of children's individual progression in the context of behaviour and social-emotional development. Students will deepen their understanding of the factors that influence children's social and emotional development as well as the related strategies, practices, and interventions needed to guide, support, and nurture age-appropriate behaviour and growth. Discussion will include strategies to help children build self-esteem and create respectful relationships in the learning environment, at home, and in their community.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 201

This course introduces essential objectives for advancing theory and practice in early childhood education. Students will explore key strategies used to develop children's literacy and numeracy skills, and design age-appropriate activities to support these skills. Furthermore, students will explain relationships within each skillset and reflect on the interplay between culture and language development. Throughout the course, students will discuss and implement resources available for educators and use evidence-based strategies to support early childhood development.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 200

In this course, students will plan, design, develop, and implement creative experiences to support children's learning for each developmental stage. Experiences will focus on art-based activities and expression through music, movement, and drama.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 250

In this course, students will explore the importance of play in nature and outdoor settings. Consideration will be given to developmentally appropriate outdoor experiences when preparing children for outdoor learning at every age. Indigenous ways of knowing will be threaded through hands-on outdoor experiential learning. Outdoor safety and the importance of risky play are also highlighted.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 251

This course focuses on atypical development in children and the exploration of exceptionalities that may be represented in an early childhood setting. Students will examine and discuss values, philosophies, accommodations, and strategies that can help create an inclusive child care environment where all children are supported.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 251

This advanced, project-based course examines age-appropriate approaches and strategies, specifically emergent curriculum, when designing, developing, and implementing play opportunities in an early childhood setting. Students will incorporate appropriate technology to create an early childhood education plan for various needs and developmental stages. Students will design a developmentally appropriate curriculum for indoor and outdoor learning environments, considering concepts and strategies previously learned. These will include childhood wellness (nutrition, fitness and safety), equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), language and digital literacy, as well as numeracy. Students will consider Alberta's Flight framework in their planning and design process.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 300
• ECED 301

This course focuses on emerging topics within the child care profession. Students will explore the complexity of global, provincial, and local systems, and multiple worldviews. Students will discuss challenging topics within mainstream society and their impact on children, families, and educators. Topics will also include a discussion of various early childhood settings and consideration of their unique dynamics.

Pre-requisites:

• COMN 200
• ECED 302
• INDG 200

Students will focus on the benefits and challenges of working with families of children in early childhood settings. This advanced course will examine the complexities of diverse family and community structures, helping students develop a deeper awareness of individual issues concerning families and their communities. Students will reflect on these societal influences and impacts on the learning and development of children within and outside the early childhood education setting. Students will build skills and develop strategies around topics including empathy, resiliency, respect for diversity, effective and respectful communication, building trust and relationships for meaningful interactions with families, as well as fostering positive community partnerships.

Pre-requisites:

• COMN 200

This project-based course combines theory and application. Key advanced topics include advocacy, rights of children and their families, determinants of health (at-risk), as well as poverty and intervention. Discussion will also address race, ethnicity and culture, as well as ethical practices and professionalism. Students will examine and engage community partners in creative curriculum design with the goal of implementing a needs-based workshop within the community that is focused on advocacy.

Pre-requisites:

• INDG 200

This course introduces students to a foundation of Indigenous teachings, practices, experiences and worldviews, preparing them to professionally engage and respectfully interact with indigenous peoples and communities. Students will examine the ongoing impacts of past and present policy, as well as identify practical ways forward that align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC): Calls to Action. Students will develop their cultural competence towards recognizing and supporting Indigenous perspectives within an early childhood education environment. Students will explore topics such as: importance of identity, language, ceremony, and land in Indigenous cultures and how this can guide communication, planning and best practices when working with children, families, communities, and elders.

In this course, students will develop their skills in administration, organization, critical thinking, leadership and team-building to prepare for leadership/management roles within child care and early education environments. Students will be introduced to basic financial principles and practices that are relevant to managing early education facilities. Students will identify their leadership strengths/areas for improvement and explore effective leadership styles supporting positive and effective engagement with children, staff, families, and community partners. Students will explore roles and responsibilities within legislation, regulations, licensing policies (specific to the Province of Alberta), and risk management from a leadership lens, when addressing various issues such as child protection.

Pre-requisites:

• COMN 200

Using Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework, this practicum placement allows students to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by observing the role of the early childcare educator. The practicum will also be used to safely build fundamental skills for working with children. Integrating course concepts, students will interact with children in their placement, gaining skills in professional observation and practical experience. As the practicum progresses, students will move from observing to active engagement with children.

In this practicum course, students will be given more hands-on experience within an early childhood education learning environment under the supervision of a work experience mentor. Students will be expected to apply the skills, knowledge and strategies gained from course prerequisites as they plan, observe and reflect on their day-to-day participation in their practicum. Students will play a lead role within the learning environment and be directly involved in the practice of documentation. Application of collaboration, communication skills and teamwork will be observed as students have more direct engagement with children, their families and the community.

Pre-requisites:

• COMN 200
• DIGI 200
• ECED 200
• ECED 201
• PRCT 204
• WLNS 202

This practicum course expands on students' previous practical experiences and is integrated throughout the term. The theoretical portion of the work placement will focus on discussions of advanced program planning integrated holistically into the placement setting. Students will begin to take on increasing responsibility as an effective team member within the room.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 250
• ECED 251
• ECED 252
• INDG 200
• PRCT 208

This fourth and final practicum course is an extension of previous practicum experiences, with focused theory and application of leadership, teamwork, and continued engagement with family and community. This will include positively working with diverse families and communities in the context of potential leadership roles (lead educator, associate director, program director) in a child care setting.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 300
• ECED 301
• ECED 302
• LDSH 301
• PRCT 301

This course focuses on the importance of creating and nurturing a learning environment that supports the holistic well-being of children, families, and child care professionals. Students will examine essential principles, skills, and strategies relating to age-appropriate nutrition and fitness concepts. The significance of health and wellness dimensions will also be discussed. Topics will include the psychological and physical health and safety of both the child and the early childhood educator. Child protection responsibilities will be explained in detail. Students will also consider how community partners can be engaged to support and promote wellness as a lifestyle to children and their families.