The early childhood major is a program designed for students interested in working with children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. This program leads to pK-6 certification in South Carolina. The early childhood major combines observations of young children, instructional methodology, program planning for pK–6 children, and information about the child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
In addition to the Teacher Education Program Goals and Objectives, the early childhood education major is designed to help the prospective teacher reach the following specific goals and objectives:
The goals of the early childhood education program at Converse are to:
- Provide a thorough course of study of human growth and development;
- Develop skills in appropriate pedagogy and classroom management; and
- Promote a broad knowledge of the history, theory, and professional practices that are related to early childhood education.
- Candidates will analyze child development and learning
- Candidates will examine family and community relationships.
- Candidates will observe, document, and assess to support young children and families.
- Candidates will employ developmentally effective approaches.
- Candidates will use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
Converse students who complete a major in early childhood education will be able to:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of the content in this field;
- Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings;
- Organize and manage effectively a preK–3 grade placement in the public schools; and
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction.
Required courses: Teacher candidates may only take courses in Benchmark 1 before being admitted to the Teacher Education Program. See the departmental webpage at converse.edu for a list of Benchmark courses and other important information.
Benchmark I
- EDU 560: must be first course.
- PSY 580: must be one of 1st courses.
- SED 500 & HPE 593: Approved elective for graduate student only! May be taken in Benchmark II.