Early Childhood Education Certificate

This course allows students to develop and practice their verbal and written communication skills, which are essential for maintaining positive interpersonal relationships in an early learning environment. A broad range of communication topics and strategies will be introduced, including basic ethics, diversity and inclusion, critical thinking, teamwork, engagement and collaboration. Students will also explore conflict management, difficult conversations, decision-making and report writing.

This course focuses on the professional use of technology and interactive media to enhance daily operations in an early learning environment, as well as how to provide children with another relevant outlet to demonstrate creativity and learning. Students will explore the use of the internet, developmentally appropriate assistive technologies and interactive media. Discussion will include age-appropriate web-based applications and software, as well as digital technology to aid and enhance communication with children, families and the community.

This introductory course examines the fundamentals of early childhood education. Students will explore the importance of healthy and safe environments for children and their families while considering pertinent legislation, regulations, standards and best practices.  Students will develop a personal philosophy of early childhood education based on their understanding and evaluation of the course topics.

This course uses a whole-child approach to introduce students to the overall development of children. This approach addresses a child’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical and mental growth. Atypical development will also be discussed. Students will explore key theories and principles of child development. Creating a healthy, safe and engaging learning environment that supports the development of essential life skills and growth toward the child’s full potential will also be addressed. Learners will explore key theories and child development principles. Child development is viewed through multiple perspectives, including multicultural, indigenous and neuro-divergent.

In this practical extension of previous courses, students will explore the role and importance of play to children’s developmental stages. Students will be encouraged to consider Flight’s holistic play-based goals when given the opportunity to apply their learning of child development, childhood wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion. Beyond those concepts, students should apply language and digital literacy when planning and designing safe and age-appropriate play environments and activities for children. Both indoor and outdoor play experiences will be explored.

Pre-requisites:

• ECED 200

This course builds upon Childhood Development 1: Growth and Development , as students continue to explore the stages of children’s individual progression in the context of behaviour and social-emotional development. Students will be introduced to developmental milestones, ages and stages, as well as the related strategies, practices and interventions needed to guide, support and nurture age-appropriate behavior and growth. Discussion will include strategies to help children build positive self-esteem and create respectful relationships in the learning environment, at home and in their community.

This course introduces the importance of literacy and numeracy in early learning environments. Students will explore strategies used to develop children’s speaking, listening, reading, writing, counting, problem-solving and numeracy skills to build an essential foundation for language arts and math. Students will research how age-appropriate literature, technology and play-based activities are used to stimulate interest and enhance literacy and numeracy development. Students will also reflect on the relationship between culture and language development.

This course introduces students to a foundation of Indigenous teachings, practices, experiences and worldviews, preparing them to professionally engage and respectfully interact with indigenous peoples and communities. Students will examine the ongoing impacts of past and present policy, as well as identify practical ways forward that align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC): Calls to Action. Students will develop their cultural competence towards recognizing and supporting Indigenous perspectives within an early childhood education environment. Students will explore topics such as: importance of identity, language, ceremony, and land in Indigenous cultures and how this can guide communication, planning and best practices when working with children, families, communities, and elders.

Using Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, this off-site placement allows students to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by observing the role of the early childcare education worker. The work placement will also be used to safely build fundamental skills for working with children. This placement combines professional observation, practical experience and integrated theory classes.

In this work placement, students will be given more hands-on experience within an early childhood education learning environment under the supervision of a work experience mentor. Students will be expected to apply the skills, knowledge and strategies gained from course prerequisites as they plan, observe and reflect on their day-to-day participation at their off-site placement. Students will play a lead role within the learning environment and be directly involved in the practice of documentation. Application of collaboration, communication skills and teamwork will be observed as students have more direct engagement with children, their families and the community. This work placement has five observational days leading to a four-week block of practical experience.

Pre-requisites:

• COMN 200
• DIGI 200
• ECED 200
• ECED 201
• PRCT 204
• WLNS 202

This course focuses on the importance of creating and nurturing a learning environment that supports the holistic well-being of children, families and child care professionals. Students will examine essential principles, skills and strategies relating to age-appropriate nutrition and fitness concepts. The significance of health and wellness dimensions such as physical, mental, social and spiritual will also be discussed. Topics will include the psychological/physical health and safety of both the child and the early childhood education (ECE) worker. Child protection responsibilities will be explained in detail. Students will also consider how community partners can be engaged to support and promote wellness to children and their families as a lifestyle.