Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, a graduate will be able to:

• Apply reflective practice including reflection on the role of practitioner-research in action research.
• Describe, summarize and analyze the connection between theory and practice and create curriculum in early childhood education in response to both classical and contemporary theories and practices (Administration Specialization).
• Analyze various theories of play and their connection to teaching practice with a focus on multiple domains of learning and development.
• Analyze early childhood learning environments in relationship to the influences of physical space, community building, the outdoors and curriculum development.
• Compare and contrast leadership theories and models as related to early childhood professionals, and reflect on personal teaching and leadership practices based on these theories and models to create personal leadership goals within teaching or administration.
• Advocate for young children and their families through appropriate application of current models, theories and methods for supporting families and children in early childhood contexts, including supporting diversity.
• Employ leadership skills to manage personnel, evaluate staff and programs, market programs, and apply financial management methods (Administration Specialization).
• Describe, evaluate, and apply themes, models, and methods that form the basis of early intervention and early childhood special education practice.
• Evaluate and develop curriculum (instruction and assessment) for infants through third graders based on developmentally appropriate practice (Teaching Specialization).
• Compare and contrast methods for the observation, description and documentation of young children’s development, and their implications for planning individual learning experiences.
• Analyze the concepts of quality and high quality and how they apply in the early childhood setting, and explore the systemic relationship among licensing requirements, quality rating and improvement systems, and national accreditation programs (Administration Specialization).
• Apply discipline specific research methods.
• Compare and contrast methods of assessment and their implication (including legal issues) for supporting early intervention and inclusion for children who are not typically developing (Special Education Specialization).
• Analyze assessment results and their implication for the development, adaptation and modification of teaching practices for diverse learners to create an inclusive curriculum and instructional strategies for young children (Special Education Specialization).
• Analyze early childhood learning environments including the home, the classroom and the outdoors and apply modifications needed to support inclusion (Special Education Specialization).
• Analyze and apply strategies to support children with diverse learning needs and challenges to develop and increase pro-social behaviors and interactions (Special Education Specialization).