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ECED 2320 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

ECED 2320 - Infant, Toddler Child Development

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is a study of the physical, cognitive, social and emotional aspects of young children and their application to the care, guidance and development of children ages birth through eight. Field experience is required.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Outcome 1: Recognize current trends in brain research and implications for child development. (1a, 1b)
Outcome 2: Identify prenatal influences and newborn development. (1a, 1b)
Outcome 3: Know and understand young children's characteristics and needs during the first eight (8) years of life. (1a, 1b, 3b)
Outcome 4: Know and understand multiple influences on development and learning. (1b)
Outcome 5: Identify the major theories of human development and learning. (1b)

NAEYC Associate Degree Standards

The following standards are addressed in this course:

Standard 1: Child Development and Learning
1a. Know and understand children's characteristics and needs.
1b. Know and understand the multiple influences on development and learning.

Standard 3: Observing, Documenting and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
3b. Know about and use observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches.

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:
  • NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
  • Defining early childhood development
  • Key terms
  • Child study methods/research
  • Current brain research
  • Theories in early childhood development
  • Prenatal and newborn development
  • Infant development
  • Toddler development
  • Preschool development
  • Primary child development
Specific Course Requirements:
  1. Complete a six hour child study on one child between the ages of three and eight years in a group setting. These observations should be done in group settings to allow students to observe the wide range of development at every age.
  2. Review and report on websites/videos related to early childhood development topics.
  3. Complete reflection assignments on textbook chapters.
  4. Complete study guides on textbook chapters.
  5. Participate in online discussions related to each module and lesson.
  6. Complete exams on concepts, terms, etc.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Supplementary Materials are available online at the following websites:

Center for Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning - http://www.vanderbilt.edu/csefel/

Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards

Tennessee Licensing Standards for Child Care Centers - http://www.daycare.com/tennessee/

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

All testing will take place within the course materials. You will be allowed to take your tests at a time and place convenient to you.

Grading Procedures:

Information in this course is cumulative and each module builds on the one before. Modules will be available from the first day of class and students may work at their own pace. Only the Discussion Board must be completed during the week suggested so that it will be a true discussion. Each module will remain open until the due date and they will not be reopened. All work is expected to be completed by the assigned date. Exams remain open for one week also and will not be reopened after that time. It is the student’s responsibility to stay on top of exam and due dates for assignments and to submit work in a timely manner. Since all work is available early there will be no late submissions. Exceptions will be made only in very special circumstances and documentation will be required. Point deductions will occur. See the Late Policy for very special circumstances. This course is a foundation for all early childhood courses and as such it is challenging in content. All assignments should be completed in their entirety and will be graded based on content, understanding of the material and effort. Exemplary work deserves an exemplary grade. Mediocre work deserves a mediocre grade. Grades will be a reflection of the work and time invested.

Grading Scale:

612-680 Points A
544-611 Points B
476-543 Points C
442-475 Points D
under 442 Points F

Graded Items

DescriptionPoints
Essay – located in Introduction Module - Reflection on Code of Ethical Conduct 20
Discussion Postings – 14 @ 5 points each70
Child Study Report – 4 sections260
Reflection assignment – located in Module One – Child Development Theorist40
Video Report - located in Module Two – Prenatal Development40
Exams - 5 @ 50 points each250
Total Points680 

 

Assignments and Projects:
  1. Introduction Assignment: Students will learn how to navigate the RODP website by completing a three part introduction assignment. Complete instructions for the assignment are found in the Getting Started Module.
  2. Discussion Postings: Students will respond and reply to discussion posts each week. To receive full credit, students must respond to each weekly post and reply to a minimum of two students’ posts.
  3. Child Study Report: This assignment will require at least six hours of focused observation on one child between the ages of three and eight in a group setting (Child Care, Head Start, Preschool, Elementary school, etc.) Required observation tools and details on completing this report are found under Observation Assignments in Course Content. Please see Calendar for due dates.
  4. Reflection Assignment: Module One requires a reflection assignment on theorists in the first chapters of the textbook.
  5. Video Report: Module Two requires a report on a website video about prenatal development and birth.
  6. 13 Module Lesson Assignments: Each lesson will include a Study Guide on the textbook chapters, video clips etc., participation in Discussion Board topics. The Study Guide is for your benefit as you prepare for the tests, but it will not be submitted for a grade.
Class Participation:

You are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. For example, you must communicate with other students via e-mails and discussion board exchanges. You are expected to communicate with your instructor at least once a week and check the course bulletin board at least three times a week for announcements. You must actively participate in threaded discussion events. One sentence is not considered a “discussion”. This class is designed to support student interaction.

Late Policy:

Students are expected to check their e-mail at least three times a week and to work on their assignments regularly. It will be impossible to complete your work if you do not.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021