Explore the field of early childhood education by working directly with preschool children. Develop and deliver lessons while interning at local preschools. Prospective students must pass a test of basic academic skills.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to :

Technical Skills

• Demonstrate awareness of industry standards.
• Be familiar with rules, policies, standards, regulations and laws required of preschools.
• Understand children's developmental stages, infancy through preadolescence; recognize the needs of exceptional children.
• Demonstrate abilities to make observations, record and report  classroom activities.
• Demonstrate general knowledge of good health and nutrition, and a safe school environment;describe mandatory reporting.
• Plan lessons and activities using a prescribed format; create teaching aids.
• Practive teaching strategies appropriate for different ages, language learners and learning stages.

 Personal and Professional Skills

• Describe qualifications, roles and training options for teachers; discuss legal preschool issues.
• Explain outcomes of positive guidance and discipline techniques.
• Demonstrate appropriate work ethics and demeanor as demanded by the childcare industry.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently or as a member of a team.
• Listen attentively, follow directions and effectively relay directions to others.

 Career Planning Skills

• Research career opportunities in the industry; establish educational and career goals.
• Research employment opportunities; prepare a portfolio, including a resume; prepare for an interview.

Additional Information
TB tests are required for all students. 36 additional hours are required for those students who wish to articulate with Saddleback or Orange Coast Colleges' Early Childhood Education programs. Students 18 or older who complete the additional 36 hours may be employed as a preschool teacher providing Early Childhood Education units are being taken concurrently at a community college. This special component provides students with preschool teacher-related activities and opportunities to apply them during their internships. Creative art and music activities will be developed. Enrollment will be handled through the teacher and will involve additional hours of classroom instruction and internship training to be scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays during the semester. Prerequi­site: Instructor approval.