Theory and Research in Early Childhood

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• demonstrate comprehension of the fundamental theories and principles guiding research in young children’s development (NCGrad 3; NCBK 1);
• demonstrate their knowledge of the processes and synthesis of development from birth through age 6 including knowledge of perceptual, motor, cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development (NCGrad 3; NCBK 1);
• apply the knowledge of young children’s development to the field of study, and make new connections between theory and research and the applied setting (NCGrad 4; NCBK 1 & 5);
• compare and contrast typical and atypical development during this early childhood period (NCGrad 3; NCBK 1);
• demonstrate their understanding of young children’s development within the context of the family, community, culture, and larger society (NCGrad 2; NCBK 2);
• critically evaluate how context fits within current theories and research (NCGrad 2);
• demonstrate the ability to understand and use research-based articles and theories to draw conclusions about child development and evidence-based practices in the field (NCGrad 4);
• demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate knowledge in an oral and written format; prepare clear and well-organized presentations; use technology in an appropriate and ethical manner in all assignments (NCGrad 1).

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Weekly Reaction Papers	50 points
Article Critique & Presentation	30 points
Annotated Bibliography – Research Review Paper	15 points
Outline – Research Review Paper	10 points
Research Review Paper	60 points
Research Review Presentation	20 points
Class Participation/Asynchronous Work	55 points

Final grades will be calculated as follows:

Percentage	Letter Grade
225-240	A
216-224	A-
208-215	B+
200-207	B
192-199	B-
184-191	C+
168-183	C
Below 168	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students will be expected to attend and actively participate in class each week. The class will take place in synchronous TEAMS sessions, asynchronous online work, and small groups. Students must actively participate in each of these formats to receive full credit for participation in the course. Students actively participating (e.g., speaking to the group, using the chat for substantial comments, contributing to small group discussions, etc.) will earn participation points each class session. Camera use is highly encouraged so that students are able to engage and participate as closely as possible to being in person. You are welcome to use a computer-generated background, to blur your background, or sit in front of a blank wall when you have your camera on. Feedback for your participation may be indicated periodically. Please note that we do not recommend or want students to join TEAMS via cell phone, tablet or ipad if at all possible. Cell phones/tablets/ipads also don’t always allow for full participation in the class. Please let me know if this presents challenges for your specific circumstances.

Students who must be absent from synchronous class sessions should notify the instructor ahead of time. Absence from class will be taken into consideration when assigning a final grade for the course. After more than one absence, 5 points for each absence will be deducted from your total points for the course. Also, 2 points will be deducted for leaving class early or arriving late to class. There will also be asynchronous work to compensate for our shorter class sessions. Please attend to these asynchronous assignments and complete all aspects to receive the participation points.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.