UACCM | Course Description |Early Childhood Development

ECD 1013 | Early Childhood Competencies

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisite: None. Offered in the fall and spring semesters. This is an introductory course that covers the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential competencies that are necessary for meeting the needs of all children in an inclusive environment.

ECD 1023 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: Score of 19 on the English portion of the ACT, or a score of 77 or higher on the Writing Skills portion of the COMPASS Test, or a grade of "C" or higher in ACAD 0304 Basic Composition and a score of 19 or higher on the Reading portion of the ACT, or a score of 83 or higher on the Reading Skills portion of the COMPASS, or a grade of "C" or higher in ACAD 0214 Reading Skills II. This course offers an introduction to the historical and socio-cultural forces that have impacted the early childhood field, various roles assumed by the teacher, regulatory laws, contemporary early childhood program models, and factors involved in planning the curriculum for all children (birth to eight years) within an inclusive environment. This course requires eight (8) hours of field experience. Pending approval this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 1102L | Supervised Lab I

2 Cr. (6 Lab)
Prerequisite: Completion of ECD 1013 Early Childhood Competencies with a grade of "C" or higher. Offered in the fall semester. Students will interact with all children in an inclusive supervised laboratory environment. Implementation of developmentally appropriate activities will be achieved. Students are required to have a current TB skin test, malpractice insurance, and completion of the following background checks: Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry and Arkansas Criminal Record. Individuals who have not been a resident of Arkansas for the past six years will also be required to have an FBI background check.

ECD 1203 | Child Guidance

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: None. This course relates principles of child development to appropriate methods of guiding children's behavior for all children (birth to pre-kindergarten) in an inclusive environment. Developmental factors, indirect and direct guidance, and positive discipline strategies will be studied. This course requires two hours of field experience. Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2013 | Health and Safety for Children

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisite: None. Offered in the fall semester of even years. Basic fundamentals of health and safety will be explored. Topics covered will include safety management, illness, accidents, injuries, and menu planning for all children in an inclusive environment.

ECD 2023 | Math and Science for Young Children

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: None. Students will become familiar with a variety of ways to introduce all children (birth to pre-kindergarten) within an inclusive environment to ideas and concepts related to math and science. Students will create activities and plan and practice developmentally appropriate experiences that meet recognized standards (NAEYC, NCTM, etc.), Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2033 | Language and Literacy for Young Children

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: None. This course is designed to make the early childhood educator aware of the acquisition of language and how to provide for all children (birth to pre-kindergarten) within an inclusive environment by incorporating the four areas of language: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The student will develop a resource file containing materials related to language and literacy that meet recognized standards (NAEYC etc,). Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2043 | Curriculum and Assessment for Infants and Toddlers

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: Completion of ECD 1023 Foundations of Early Childhood Education, ECD 2023 Math and Science for Young Children, and ECD 2033 Language and Literacy for Young Children with a grade of "C" or higher. This course is based on the foundation of research in child development and focuses on planning and implementing enriching environments with appropriate interactions and activities for all children (birth to 3) in an inclusive environment, to maximize physical, cognitive, communication, creative, language/literacy, and social/emotional growth and development. Competencies are based on recognized standards developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for quality early childhood settings. Also covered is the information on the Quality Approval process and Accreditation for Early Childhood settings in Arkansas, now called Better Beginnings and the Arkansas Frameworks Handbook for Infants and Toddlers. Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2053 | Curriculum and Assessment for Young Children

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: Completion of ECD 1023 Foundations of Early Childhood Education, ECD 2023 Math and Science for Young Children, and ECD 2033 Language and Literacy for Young Children with a grade of "C" or higher. This course is based on the foundation of research in child development and focuses on planning and implementing enriching environments with appropriate interactions and activities for all children (three to eight years of age) in an inclusive environment to maximize physical, cognitive, communication, creative, language/literacy, and social/emotional growth and development. Competencies are based on standards developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for quality early childhood settings. Also covered is information on the Quality Approval process and Accreditation for Early Childhood settings in Arkansas, called Better Beginnings, and the Arkansas Framework Handbook for Three and Four Year Olds. Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2102L | Supervised Lab II

2 Cr. (6 Lab)
Prerequisite: Completion of ECD 1102L Supervised Lab I. Offered in the spring semester. Students will interact with all children in an inclusive supervised laboratory setting. Implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and assessment procedures will be achieved. Students are required to have a current TB skin test, malpractice insurance and completion of the following background checks: Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry and Arkansas Criminal Record. Individuals who have not been a resident of Arkansas for the past six years will also be required to have an FBI background check.

ECD 2103 | Future Perspectives in Early Childhood

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: Completion of ECD 2023 Math and Science for Young Children, ECD 2033 Language and Literacy for Young Children, and ECD 2102L Supervised Lab II with a grade of "C" or higher. This course introduces students to current research in the field of Early Childhood education. Students will develop a knowledge base of the NAEYC Code of Conduct through analyzing case studies designed to demonstrate competencies compatible with current research and practice and development of a professional portfolio to demonstrate competencies in the skills relating to the NAEYC associate degree standards. Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2133L | Practicum for Early Childhood Development

3 Cr. (9 Lab)
Prerequisites: Completion of ECD 2102L Supervised Lab II with a grade of "C" or higher. The practicum is designed to give students exposure to and experience of an actual job in the early child care field working with all children (birth through pre-kindergarten) in an inclusive environment. Placement and work schedules are arranged by the instructor. Students must demonstrate competency in all areas observed and must complete 150 contact hours in an approved facility for this course. Observation of the student's work and evaluation of student skills are conducted by instructors following the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Associate Standards. An emphasis will be on the observation of physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development in connection with previous courses. Pending approval, this course meets the competencies for the Arkansas Birth to five (5) Early Childhood Teaching Credential by the Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education.

ECD 2203 | Facilities and Equipment

3 Cr. (3 Lec.)
Prerequisites: Completion of ECD 1013 Early Childhood Competencies. Offered on demand. Students will study state and federal regulations for group care facilities, guidelines for conducting a needs assessment, site location, components of facility design, facility space arrangements, storage needs, and playgrounds.