Early Childhood Education – Children with Exceptionalities

This program gives the student the skills and occupational competencies necessary in the industry today based upon the Ministry for Children and Family Development approved curriculum. The diploma program provides the content of the Basic program in addition to content specific to Children with Exceptionalities, involving working with children who require extra support in childcare settings. Students in this program will develop a broad range of skills through the study and practice of certified courses in order to develop and lead daily age-appropriate activities for children aimed to help promote social, emotional, physical, cognitive and early literacy development. Students learn to observe children and communicate professionally, when appropriate, children’s progress and/or needs with parents, other staff members and individuals involved with the child’s development. Graduates are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator license from the Ministry for Children and Family Development.

Learning Objectives

• Cultural, economic, and generational influences on development
• Main categories and methods of observational recording
• Current licensing and registration regulations, development of policies and procedures, floor plans, and childcare center design
• Development of partnerships with parents, colleagues, and other service providers
• Positive contemporary child guidance practices, causes and characteristics of inappropriate behaviour
• Planning and implementing comprehensive program plans, focusing on social, emotional, cognitive, physical, language and cultural development
• Activities to facilitate diversity and multi-cultural experiences and concepts to enhance the curriculum
• Creating a positive learning environment that includes fun and engaging music and movement activities, enhancing other learning such as language and language skills
• The use of concepts and activities from LEAP BC 2010 Resource Booklet and recognizing movement categories and motor skills
• Creativity and open-ended, process-oriented creative art activities and experiences
• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills and techniques
• Design newsletters and communication tools for parents, children and staff
• Signs and symptoms of common communicable childhood illnesses
• Goal setting, note-taking, problem-solving, and teamwork
• Interview techniques and creating an employment package