The Early Childhood Education curriculum is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and theoretical knowledge to work in a variety of facilities for young children. The curriculum includes the cognitive areas of theory, history of child development, psychology and sociology as they relate to the developing child. Additionally, training will include practical areas of internships, and planning of developmentally appropriate activities.
Mission
This program is designed to satisfy state requirements for positions as child care teacher/assistant, teacher aide and child care director. The curriculum includes the cognitive areas of theory, history of child development, psychology and sociology as they relate to the developing infant. This career program is for students interested in working with children from birth to 8 years of age and a transfer program for students interested in elementary or secondary education. Because South Suburban College is an entitled institution, the courses in the certificate program can be used to meet Illinois Gateways ECE credentials – Levels II through IV.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Early Childhood Education Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for all children, demonstrating understanding of child development theories.
- Students will be able to explain how to engage in respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower children and families.
- Students will be able to identify and utilize formal and informal assessment strategies to positively influence children’s development.
- Students will be able to implement a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning.
- Students will be able to construct lesson plans to provide developmentally appropriate experiences.
- Students will be able to demonstrate ethical guidelines of the early childhood profession to maintain standards of professional conduct.
NOTE: All students who intend to be an elementary or secondary school certified teacher must consult an academic advisor and plan their programs at South Suburban College very carefully to ensure that:
- they transfer without loss of credit to the senior institution of their choice.
- they fulfill the new General Education requirements for teacher certification by the State of Illinois.
Early Children Education Degrees
Early Children Education Degree (CHD.AAS)
| Overview for College Success | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a class that will help you plan and assist you in becoming a better student and support you in your work/life balance. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section. | ||
| OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
| Cluster 1 | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| CHD 100 | Child, Family & Community | 3 |
| CHD 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 110 | Foundations of American Education | 3 |
| Cluster 2 | Credits | |
| CHD 104 | Child Growth & Development | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| CHD 203 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| CHD 208 | Techniques of Child Care | 3 |
| CHD 211 | Internship I | 3 |
| SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Cluster 3 | Credits | |
| CHD 210 | Observation & Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 204 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| CHD 205 | The Culturally Different Child | 3 |
CHD 202 EDU 111 | Language Arts for Young Children OR Language Arts in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| CHD 108 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| Cluster 4 | Credits | |
| CHD 212 | Internship II | 3 |
| CHD 209 | Guidance of the Young Child | 3 |
| CHD 106 | Creative Activities for Young Child | 3 |
MTH 103 MTH 145 | Fundamentals of Mathematics OR Math Concepts & Structures | 3-4 |
| GROUP II | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Minimum for Degree: | 63 | |
| Additional Course Offerings | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CHD 107 | Music for Early Childhood | 3 |
| CHD 207 | Infant and Toddler Care | 3 |
| EDU 150 | Educational Technology | 3 |
| Suggested Humanities Electives | Credits | |
| ENG 103 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG 104 | American Literature 1865-Present | 3 |
| ENG 203 | Introduction to British Literature | 3 |
| ENG 204 | Shakespeare | 3 |
Teacher Aide Special Education AAS Degree (CHD.AAS.SPED)
The program meets the needs of the developmentally disabled by exploring the problems, skills, and current trends in special education theory in the classroom through internships and in facilities especially staffed to educate the individual as having special needs.
| Overview for College Success | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a class that will help you plan and assist you in becoming a better student and support you in your work/life balance. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section. | ||
| OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
| Cluster 1 | Credits | |
| ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
| EDU 204 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| CHD 100 | Child, Family & Community | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Cluster 2 | Credits | |
| CHD 104 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CHD 205 | The Culturally Different Child | 3 |
| BIO 115 | Human Body Structure (Formerly BIO 111) | 4 |
| CHD 211 | Internship I | 3 |
| PSY 206 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Cluster 3 | Credits | |
| CHD 203 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| HSA 213 | Intervention in Human Services | 3 |
MTH 103 MTH 145 | Fundamentals of Mathematics OR Math Concepts and Structures | 3-4 |
| HSA 110 | Sign Language I | 3 |
| SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Cluster 4 | Credits | |
| CHD 206 | Family and Community in Exceptionality | 3 |
| CHD 212 | Internship II | 3 |
| EDU 110 | Foundations of American Education | 3 |
| HSA 111 | Sign Language II | 3 |
| CHD 108 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| GROUP II | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Minimum for Degree: | 64 | |
| Suggested Humanities Electives | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 103 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG 104 | American Literature 1865-Present | 3 |
| HIS 271 | History of Modern Africa | 3 |
Basic Certificates
Early Childhood Education Level II (CHD.BASIC)
As an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity entitled institution, this 18 credit hour curriculum will qualify students for the Illinois Gateways ECE credential – Level II. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate program will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in early childhood care and education.| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHD 100 | Child, Family & Community | 3 |
| CHD 104 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CHD 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| CHD 108 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 |
| CHD 208 | Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| CHD 210 | Observation & Assessment | 3 |
| Minimum for Certificate: | 18 | |
Early Childhood Education Level III (CHD.BASIC.ECEIII)
As an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity entitled institution, this 27 credit hour curriculum will qualify students for the Illinois Gateways ECE credential – Level III. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate program will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in early childhood care and education.| Credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| CHD 104 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CHD 105 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| CHD 210 | Observation & Assessment | 3 |
| CHD 208 | Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| CHD 100 | Child, Family & Community | 3 |
| CHD 108 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 |
| CHD 213 | Math for the Young Child | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Composition an Rhetoric | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Minimum for Certificate: | 27 | |