Catalog Info
During this practicum experience, students will apply knowledge gained from CHD-232. They will observe and engage with young children individually and in small groups in an early childhood classroom. Students will implement activities approved by the lead teacher and use formal and informal assessment techniques with children. Observation strategies and recording objective anecdotal notes will be emphasized. Students will analyze observations individually, with classroom staff and classmates to build relationships with children, determine children’s strengths, suggest support activities and for assisting the lead teacher in communicating children’s development with families.
*The following documents must be provided before starting this practicum: Department of Human Services (DHS) Clearance; Tuberculosis (TB) test record (must be in the last 12 months); Identification (valid driver’s license or State ID); and a HFC student ID card. Some programs may request an immunization, a physical exam and an ICHAT (Criminal Background Check).
The following NAEYC Associate Degree Standards are met by this course at the understanding or application level:
1. Promoting Child Development and Learning:
- 1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.
2. Building Family and Community Relationships:
- 2c: Involving families and communities in young children's development and learning.
3. Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families:
- 3c: Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches
- 3d: Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child, including the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities.
5. Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum:
- 5c: Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child.
7. Early Childhood Field Experiences
- 7a: Opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of three early childhood age groups (birth - age 3, 3-5, 5-8).
- 7b: Opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of the three main types of early education settings (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start program).
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Portfolios must be well organized into sections and should include up-to-date material and information on individual child in an infant and toddler or preschool classroom. Portfolios should include:
- A Child Study on an individual child (infant, toddler,or preschool child) which includes the child's background/history.
- Implementation of at least three assessment tools (informal and formal)
- Evaluation on the use of the assessment tools.
- Interpretations and Strategies for an individual child in the developmental areas: Cognitive/Language, Social, Physical, and Intellectual.
Students are also required to provide documentation of 45 hours of early childhood assessment implementation within an infant, toddler, or preschool classroom. To show proof of the field experience or practicum hours, a student must be prepared to provide an official letter (on school or company letter head) showing the hours completed. The letter must also include contact information and the signature of the program director. The Children and Families Program Director will evaluate submitted portfolios and determine satisfactory submissions based on the evaluation rubric. Evaluation rubric and student checklist located in Division Office.