ECE 280 - Leadership in Early Childhood Education

4.0 Credits
Explore leadership development in early childhood programs. Develop skills in collaboration, team-building, decision-making and advocacy for children and families. S/U grade option.

Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Document a personal definition of the early childhood professional’s role as an advocate for children, families and self. [COMMUNICATE]
Demonstrate and relate the NAEYC (National Association of the Education of Young Children) Code of Ethics and the use the Code as a tool to problem-solve a range of different ethical dilemmas early childhood professionals face in their goal of supporting children and families. [ACT]
Document personal definition of effective motivational leadership strategies for forming partnerships, building trust, respect, open communication, and active listening; advocating the needs of self, children, and peer-teaching staff; and fostering support of cultural diversity. [EXPLORE]
Formulate and complete a personally-defined goal for building skill and personal knowledge in a defined area of early childhood education and advocacy. [ACT]
Apply professionally defined position statements that advocate best practices for the education of young children and support for their families. [ACT]
Describe the leadership responsibilities of early childhood educators for fostering children’s growth and development, promoting effective early learning programs, and supporting the field of early childhood education. [EXPLORE]