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. Students must complete specific requirements before beginning a practicum experience. (see General Course Requirements).
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 The School of Health and Human Services office.