Early Childhood Education
A bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an option in early childhood education leads to Illinois teacher certification in programs serving children from birth through third grade. Early childhood certification qualifies our graduates to teach in state-funded pre-kindergarten, early special education, and kindergarten through grade three classrooms. Additional employment opportunities include early intervention programs, childcare centers, Head Start programs, and private preschools.
Strengths of the Early Childhood Education Program
The early childhood education undergraduate program is recognized for preparing students who are ready to teach in a variety of diverse classroom settings. We offer coursework and provide classroom experiences that prepare teachers to
* utilize their understanding of children’s characteristics and needs to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences
* use a variety of assessment tools to document children’s learning
* employ practices that accommodate the needs of diverse groups of children
* work with parents and the community to foster children’s learning
* use technology to facilitate children’s engagement in learning
* create supporting learning environments
* reflect on their practice and engage in continuing professional renewal
Early childhood majors apply these skills as they tutor and aide in classrooms and other settings; teach a variety of lessons in pre-primary and primary classrooms during a senior year field experience; and complete a 16-week student teaching experience in two different early childhood settings.
Program Requirements
We have created a sequence of courses and experiences that enables students to complete the program in four years.