ECE 2123 Fundamentals of Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood (2-2-3)

Develops students' understandings of how young children acquire and develop foundational concepts and skills of Mathematics and Science through inquiry-based and play-based teaching and learning. Explores pedagogical methods and tools used to integrate content in early childhood teaching and learning through a variety of formal and informal learning experiences.

Prerequisites: LSM 1123 or LSM 1003 or LSM 1113

ECE 2203 Learning through the Creative Arts (2-2-3)

Examines the importance of arts in fostering creativity in Early Childhood Education. Identifies teaching methodologies for teaching through creative arts. Provides opportunities for students to demonstrate a variety of visual and performing art techniques. Explores diverse learning environments and activities for creative arts that foster children’s development across the domains. Enables students to design instructional plans including visual and performing arts in Early Childhood contexts.

ECE 2223 Arabic Language, Literacy and Cognition through Story-telling (2-2-3)

Raises awareness of the importance of the children's literature for the development of cognition in language learning. Provides an overview of children’s cognitive development in the first and second languages with reference to language acquisition theories, and outlines the cognitive and metacognitive processes during communication. Explores the relationship between first and second languages and the impact of story-telling in first language on cognition and metacognition through the use of Emirati folk stories.

Prerequisites: EDU 1713

ECE 2403 Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood (2-2-3)

Builds on previous learning about early mathematical skills and concepts. Identifies contemporary pedagogy and current practices in mathematics teaching in Early Childhood settings, with a particular emphasis on the provision of developmentally-appropriate, play-based learning experiences. Discusses common mathematics misconceptions in early childhood education and strategies for teachers to overcome them.

Prerequisites: ECE 2123

ECE 2503 Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Early Childhood Curriculum (2-2-3)

Identifies key philosophies and approaches in Early Childhood Education and discusses the impact of these on Early Childhood curricula. Discusses the role of visible and invisible curriculum in Early Childhood Education. Outlines teaching practices that incorporate the various types and stages of play that support young children’s development. Raises awareness of issues and challenges in implementing Early Childhood curriculum.

Prerequisites: EDU 1503

ECE 3003 Literacies in Early Childhood (2-2-3)

Examines knowledge and skills to promote early literacy development. Develops competency in the components of emergent literacy, including oral language development, phonological and phonemic awareness. Analyzes various reading approaches that assist young learners with their fluency development and decoding skills. Outlines planning and implementation strategies used in teaching young children to write, read, listen and speak. Provides opportunities to evaluate and analyze the importance of using formal and informal assessments for the evaluation of literacy development.

ECE 3103 Foundations of Early Childhood Special Education (3-1-3)

Builds an understanding of the basic concepts, terminologies, and inclusion philosophies related to learners with physical, intellectual, psychological, learning and behavioral needs. Identifies the developmental milestones for People of Determination in Early Childhood. Explores the UAE's law, policies, support programs and services for the People of Determination in Early Childhood context.

ECE 3203 Learning through Literature (2-2-3)

Examines how early childhood texts from a range of genres can be used to develop learning across the curriculum. Examines criteria used to select texts for appropriate teaching and learning purposes. Builds on students’ knowledge of establishing print/literacy-rich environments with a range of texts for various purposes. Provides opportunities for students to create themed children’s books that can be used in class for developing reading strategies.

ECE 3213 Teaching Science in Early Childhood (2-2-3)

Builds on previous learning about science process skills in early childhood education. Identifies contemporary pedagogy and current practices in science teaching in Early Childhood settings, with a particular emphasis on the provision of developmentally-appropriate, play-based learning experiences. Discusses common science misconceptions in early childhood education and strategies for teachers to overcome them.

Prerequisites: ECE 2123

ECE 3503 Assessment in Early Childhood (2-2-3)

Examines the relationship between planning, teaching, and assessment in Early Childhood Education. Outlines the purposes of assessment and explores types of assessment with an emphasis on observation. Identifies and selects assessments that are bias-free and appropriate for the developmental stage, culture, language and abilities in Early Childhood contexts.

ECE 3703 Building Learning Communities in Early Childhood (3-1-3)

Emphasizes the importance of education in building and developing learning communities in Early Childhood Education. Identifies the roles of educators and parents and analyzes how they collaboratively support building learning communities. Examines the impact of education on overcoming different challenges being faced by stakeholders in order to develop learning communities.