Early Childhood Curriculum Development, Siggins, Spring 2025

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S61
Instructor:	Catherine Siggins, M.A.Ed.
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	Mar 03 - May 05, 2025. Synchronous meetings from 5:45-8:15 pm on the following Wednesdays: March 5, March 19, April 2, and April 23.
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	$1,195

Course Description

This three credit course will focus on how to develop play based, standards aligned curriculum that provides engaging learning experiences for diverse learners in inclusive early childhood settings. Students will increase their ability to plan and implement standards-based curriculum that supports the learning needs of children with diverse abilities, cultural, economic and linguistic backgrounds.

Audience: Early Childhood Educators

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Learners will demonstrate increased understanding of standards aligned, universal design principles and strategies for developing, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum.
Learners will plan and implement curriculum that intentionally promotes developmentally appropriate content knowledge and skills for young children.
Students will increase their understanding of learning development and effective teaching strategies in young children and use this knowledge to guide planning standards-based learning in early childhood settings.

Course Objectives:

Increase knowledge of and ability to use Vermont Early Learning Standards to guide comprehensive, integrated early learning curriculum
Develop understanding of developmentally appropriate practices for planning, implementing and evaluating early learning experiences
Increase understanding of the role of the physical, social and temporal environment in early learning and apply this to planning inclusive learning opportunities.
Develop understanding of the Universal Design for Learning framework and increase ability to apply this to planning learning experiences that are engaging, accessible and representative for children with diverse abilities, cultural, economic and linguistic backgrounds.
Examine a variety of methods to systematically observe, record, monitor, and document young children's activities and behavior to inform curriculum planning and evaluation, and to individualize programs to meet various ability levels.
Explore various philosophies, approaches, and curriculum models in early childhood education to inform the development of a personal philosophy of education
Understand the importance of role of families and identify strategies to engage and collaborate with families around children’s early learning