Early Childhood Development, AAS

Length: 62 credits

Purpose: This program is designed to prepare early childhood professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage a classroom and teach students from diverse backgrounds with varied academic and developmental needs. Graduates will be prepared to work with students in a variety of educational environments including childcare centers, family day homes, Head Start, and public or private schools. Students will learn to use an array of teaching methods, approaches to classroom management, and methods for teaching exceptional students. Students completing this program can transfer to select schools that currently have active articulation agreements with PHCC. See program advisor for a list of schools where graduates of the program can earn a bachelor’s degree and pre –k through third grade teaching license.

Program Learning Outcomes: A student will be able to:

• demonstrate minimum proficiency in General Education Skills which are defined as oral communication, written communication, mathematical/problem solving, scientific reasoning, information literacy and critical thinking;
• build meaningful curriculum in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies;
• build relationships with families and the community
• observe and document a student’s developmental and academic levels;
• identify ethical and professional guidelines when working in the early childhood field; and
• design, teach, and reflect on lesson plans that match Virginia standards and the developmental needs of the child.

Curriculum Requirements: Students must successfully complete all of the requirements (general education and program requirements) listed under the program information to be awarded the Associate of Applied Science in Education Assisting.