Faculty Syllabus

Course Description 

A study of appropriate infant and toddler programs (birth to age 3), including an overview of development, quality routines, learning environments, materials and activities and teaching/guidance techniques. Course includes 16 hours of field experience per semester.  (Formerly CDEC 2321) (3-3-1)

Instructional Methodology

DLS (Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings): Course instruction is hybrid and includes virtual class meetings at the times listed. Students participate in a variety of activities that in include small group discussions. Accessibility to either a laptop, computer, or tablet is best for participating in online courses.  

Course Rationale

This course serves as an introduction to prenatal development, infancy and toddler-hood with an emphasis on growth and development plus the related caregiving behaviors needed by parents or teachers to positively support these stages.  

Course Prerequisites

There are no course prerequisites for this course. Students must be eligible to participate in the required field experiences. This course is reading and writing intensive. Although there are no reading and writing requirements for the course, it is highly recommended that students have successfully completed either INRW 0420 (formerly INRW 0330) or INRW 0430 or obtained a satisfactory score on an appropriate placement test.​

THIS CALENDAR IS SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION:  Any changes will be announced in class and posted on the course Blackboard site.

Please Note: Assignments and papers and due on Sundays of the given week by 11:59 PM, unless otherwise noted. Any assignment turned in after this will be considered late.

Important dates: :Last day to withdraw from class April 28, 2025

GRADING

Your grade will be based on the following:

• Successful completion of lab and assignments                               Pass/Fail
• Observation Notes & Assignments (6 sets @ 20 points each)      120 points
• Beginning of Year Paper                                                                                40 points
• 3 Tests (40 points each)                                                                                    120 points                                                                                                                                                    
• Final Paper                                                                                                                                 40 points
• Weekly attendance (10 pts each)                                                                             160 points                                                                                     

Total Possible Assignment Points………................................................... 480 points

Grading Scale                                                                         

A = 480 - 432 pts.                                                                   D = 335 – 288 pts.

B = 431 – 384 pts.                                                                  F = 287 pts. and below 

C =383 - 336 pts.              

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of CDEC 1321, the student will:

Summarize prenatal development. 

1. 1. Outline stages and major milestones of prenatal development. 
   2. Identify and describe possible environmental factors (teratogens) and their effects on the developing embryo or fetus. 
   3. Describe components of good prenatal care; 

NAEYC Standard 1

1. Summarize the birth process. 
   1. Describe stages of labor. 
   2. Compare methods of delivery.
   3. Describe possible complications of delivery.
   4. Discuss effects of medication during the birth process;

NAEYC Standard 1

1. Discuss theories of development as they apply to infants and toddlers. 
   1. Compare the impact of nature and nurture on the developing child. 
   2. Practice authentic observations of infants and toddlers in relation to developmental milestones;

NAEYC Standards 1 & 3

1. Outline growth and development of children from birth to age 3.  
   1. Describe principles of development.  
   2. Explain the importance of brain research as it relates to growth and development of infants and toddlers.
   3. Describe physical, fine and gross motor and perceptual development. 
   4. Describe cognitive development. 
   5. Describe social development.  
   6. Describe emotional development, including self-concept and self-esteem.  
   7. Describe receptive and expressive language development.
   8. Describe literacy development. 
   9. Define “at-risk” as it applies to infants and toddlers.
   10. Identify community resources available for early intervention;

NAEYC Standards 1 & 2

1. Analyze components of quality infant/toddler caregiving, including teacher child interactions. 
   1. Discuss characteristics of quality programs for infants and toddlers. 
   2. Discuss social and cultural influences, which impact infant/toddler care. 
   3. Explain the importance of establishing and maintaining strong, positive communication and collaborative relationships with families.
   4. Explain principles of quality caregiving. 
   5. Explain appropriate teacher roles and responsibilities for caregivers of children under three. 
   6. Describe daily routines used in infant/toddler classrooms and their importance in meeting children’s needs. 
   7. Discuss unique health and safety needs of infants and toddlers. 
   8. Develop appropriate schedules for infants and toddlers. 
   9. Discuss ways to include infants and toddlers with special needs into a quality program;

NAEYC Standards 1, 2, & 4

1. Analyze and design elements of appropriate indoor and outdoor environments. 
   1. Describe developmentally appropriate indoor environment for infants. 
   2. Identify characteristics of effective room arrangements for infants. 
   3. Describe developmentally appropriate outdoor environments for infants. 
   4. Describe developmentally appropriate indoor environment for toddlers. 
   5. Identify characteristics of effective room arrangements for toddlers. 
   6. Describe developmentally appropriate outdoor environments for toddlers. 
   7. Explain how indoor and outdoor environments can be adapted for infants/toddlers with special needs; 

NAEYC Standard 1

1. Select developmentally appropriate materials and activities. 
   1. Choose and/or make developmentally appropriate materials for use in infant/toddler classrooms. 
   2. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities for infants/toddlers, including those with special needs;  

NAEYC Standards 1 & 5

1. Use developmentally appropriate teaching/guidance techniques. 
   1. Apply principles of caregiving in a classroom with children under three. 
   2. Use appropriate transitions with infants and toddlers.
   3. Use appropriate direct and indirect guidance techniques with infants and toddlers, including positive guidance. 
   4. Demonstrate appropriate procedures for feeding, diapering, toileting, dressing and sleeping. 
   5. Demonstrate teamwork skills while working with colleagues in infant/toddler classrooms;