Early Childhood Education Courses

In this course, students will be introduced to academic writing styles with a thematic focus on current issues. This course will help students to express themselves clearly and correctly in written form. Students will critically analyse assigned readings and express their thoughts. The course will also focus on the development of an academic paper utilizing the APA style of documentation.

Students will reflect on and broaden ideas about historical and contemporary theories and perspectives that inform the understanding of children's learning and implications for practices in the field of early childhood education and care. Students will examine the social/cultural, political, and economic influences that inform and guide educators' work with young children, families, and communities.

Students will examine and apply effective communication concepts and theories including communication models, perceptions, listening, conflict management, group dynamic, assertiveness skills and communication differences. Self-reflective and experiential exercises will be used as tools for creating self-awareness, practicing skills, and gaining an understanding of their own communication patterns

This course will provide students with an introduction to the history of colonization of Indigenous communities in Canada. Contemporary Indigenous community issues within Northwestern Ontario (NWO) and Canada will be examined. Students will explore the unique socio-political relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples with an emphasis on colonial, legal and political issues. With a broader understanding of the context of colonization, students will analyze contemporary relationships and efforts towards renewed relationships and reconciliation.

In this course, students will enhance their communication skills as needed in the community services field. They will acquire the skills necessary to write memos, letters, email, informal reports and proposals and presentations that meet the professional standards in the community services field. Students will combine collaborative methods with advanced research, written and oral skills to produce and present an infographic.

Students will experiment with decision making processes that will support the well being, belonging, expression and engagement of young children. Students will collaboratively work along side the Educators in Practice to actively observe, reflect and engage in pedagogical discussions using Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years and in response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call To Action. This is a three-week block field practicum that provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of a particular group of children using pedagogical documentation that demonstrates critical reflection.

Students will examine the principles and practices that influence contemporary approaches to teaching and learning with young children in the 21st century. Students will study elements of the Early Childhood Education curriculum and the dynamic role of the educator within multiple relationships. Encounters with space, time, material and relationships with others will be the focus of student inquiries. Students will attend Early Learning programs to collect documentation for collaborative group work and discussion. Students will also practice applying critical thinking and reflection strategies throughout the course.

Students will examine the connections between play, relationships, learning, and the role of the educator, as they participate in hands-on, experiential exchanges with materials in the indoor and outdoor environments. Play is the foundation of early learning practices and everyday encounters with children. Using a holistic and anti-bias pedagogy, students will apply and demonstrate an understanding of designing and engaging in play responsive environments.

Students will learn about and use guidelines, standards and laws as they apply to creating and maintaining safe and healthy early learning environments. Students will think critically about concepts that include supervision of children, illness prevention and management, nutrition and occupational health that aligns with Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years, and the Child Care Early Years Act.

Educators play an important role within the teaching team in Kindergarten programs in Ontario. Students will examine and interpret the philosophy, guidelines, and expectations outlined in the Full Day Kindergarten Program document. A focus will be on learning with children through collaborative partnerships that align with the Kindergarten document (2016).

Students will use pedagogical documentation to formulate curriculum ideas that aligns with Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years. Students will attend Early Learning programs to collect documentation for collaborative group work and discussion. Critical thinking strategies will be infused throughout the course content and delivery. Reflections on weekly readings will be assigned.

Students will complete a three-week block placement where they will build on the knowledge and skills acquired during their first field placement experiences. There will be an emphasis on the planning, preparation, and implementation of a play-based curriculum and the demonstration of skills and core competencies as outlined in the Field Placement Journal. Students are required to take more initiative and act as an effective team member.

This course will provide students with the opportunity to examine professionalism, advocacy, ethics, and standards of practice. Students will explore workplace expectations and employability skills needed to succeed in today's early learning environments. Students will engage in continuous self-reflection and critical analysis to identify personal and professional skills, knowledge, and dispositions required for employment. Resume writing and interview skills will be studied to support and prime students for employment.

In this final 11-week field placement experience students will attend four full days a week. Students will complete an extensive pedagogical documentation assignment that demonstrates the student's thinking, knowledge, and application of skills and behaviours within the scope of practice in Early Childhood Education. Students will be evaluated on their ability to collaborate and co-learn with others, as they research, inquire, and learn alongside children, families, and educators.