MEd Curriculum

GEE 501 Early Childhood & Play: From Theory to Practice

Students explore the relationship between young children's play and development. They do close reading of the work of classic educational theorists such as Piaget and Vygotsky as well as contemporary theorists such as Elkind and Katz. Students examine the link between theory and practice and take part in thoughtful reflection on their personal teaching and leadership practices.

GEE 502 Creating Constructive Environments

Students focus on the importance of the learning environment in the early childhood setting. They analyze the work of classic educational theorists such as Piaget, Erickson, Montessori, and Vygotsky and explore how their theories impact the environment. Students analyze the elements of a constructive environment: the physical environment, the class as a community, the outdoors as curriculum, and the need for recess in the K-3 learning environment.

GEE 503 Leadership, Mentoring & Quality

Students examine a variety of leadership models and analyze the nuances between leadership and mentoring, and by the end of the course define their own roles as early childhood leaders and mentors. In addition, students focus on the definitions of quality and high quality in the early childhood context and their implications for teaching, learning, and program development.

GEE 504 Supporting Children & Families

Students analyze the relationship between families and the early childhood setting, from supporting low income parents with newborn infants to providing information and support for young children with special needs. Students examine theories and models of family systems, and research community agencies and laws that support parents. Advocacy is a major theme within this course.

GEE 505 Supporting Children with Special Needs

Students examine and analyze infant, toddler, and preschool typical and atypical development in the areas of motor, cognitive, social, and language development. They will gain insight into the unique aspects of Early Childhood Special Education including the importance of strong relationships, and the emphasis on play and sensory exploration.

GEE 506 Observation, Description & Documentation with Young Children

Students discuss and evaluate various types of observation and recording tools, as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. Students examine how to set goals, plan, and choose the best documentation tool for specific situations and gain techniques for organizing, analyzing and interpreting observation data in order to improve program quality and to best meet the needs of individual children.

GEE 600 Action Research Project I

Students design and implement a capstone action research project, collect data, analyze their results, and write a research summary in APA format. Through this experience, students provide a unique professional contribution to the field of early childhood education.

GEE 610 Action Research Project II

Students finalize their Action Research Projects, and participate in the Capstone Residency in connection with a national professional conference. Students present their Action Research Project findings to fellow Champlain College students in attendance, and may be selected to present their research to a wider conference audience. In addition, students participate fully in the national conference and reflect on their learning during this professional experience.

Plus, four Specialization Courses:

Administration Specialization

GEE 540 Curriculum for Administrators

Students will develop a fundamental understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and the four domains of learning and development: cognitive, physical, language and literacy, and social and emotional. DAP serves as the Early Care and Education field's underlying guide to curricular decision-making. Students will examine DAP and apply it to their program's curriculum.

GEE 541 HR in the Early Childhood Setting

Students will focus on the skills and sensitivities necessary in professional HR management. Students will examine their organization's vision and mission. In addition, they will explore reflective staff supervision, and analyze standards and procedures for the evaluation, hiring, and releasing of staff. Students will evaluate the relationships among professional development, staff support, and an organization's mission, and focus on challenges and benefits specific to early childhood setting.

GEE 542 Administration of Early Childhood Programs

Under development.

GEE 543 Financial Management in the Early Childhood Setting

Students will examine the unique financial needs of early childhood programs such as limited access to income resources, high personnel costs, and meeting regulatory requirements. Through the use of a case study approach, students will explore financial tools that include, budgeting, break even analysis, cash flow, staffing analysis, and reconciliation, grant writing. Students will also assess the application of these tools within their own early childhood programs.

Teaching Specialization

GEE 532 Math & Science for Young Children

Students examine standards, principles, and practices in teaching mathematics and science to young children ages birth to nine. Students develop an integrated math and science curriculum that includes appropriate content, processes, environment and materials, and child-centered choices. The students also apply NCTM standards and principles as they plan and implement math and science activities for children using a play and discovery approach.

GEE 522 Teaching Kindergarten through Third Grade & Practicum Project

Under development.

GEE 520 Early Language and Literacy Development

Students focus their studies on language acquisition and literacy development in a child's first and additional languages. They examine typical and atypical development and the various contexts in which children develop, and explore the diversity of communication styles in families, communities, and cultures. Additionally, students examine the impact of being educated in a second language and negotiating schooling with a disability or other learning challenge. Students use assessment techniques and organizational approaches to literacy instruction across the preschool and primary years.

GEE 524 Infant/Toddler Curriculum with Practicum Project

Focuses on the development of infants and toddlers and guides students through the exploration of the relationship between children's development and curriculum design. Students examine a relationship-based curriculum model that emphasizes the importance of the parent/teacher/child system and design curricula to promote the four domains of learning and development: cognitive, language & literacy, social & emotional, and physical. A minimum of 12 hour internships in infant/toddler classroom required for practical experiences with both development and curriculum design.

* Courses applied to either the Teaching specialization or the Administration specialization

Please note: The Champlain M.Ed. graduate program is not a licensure program.