Program Description:

A commitment to social justice for young children and their families powers the multiple strands of our Graduate Early Childhood Teacher Certification Program at New York University. These strands are expressed in the creation of a Program which: (1) Supports children's and adults' learning to accept and respect each others' differences; (2) teaches a critical view of people's histories; (3) considers the needs, lifestyles, languages and cultural patterns of the communities we serve; (4) shows respect for and encourages equal status for all people; (5) encourages taking immediate action to interrupt our own and other's discriminatory behavior; and (6) advocates for structural changes which value early childhood education as a vital part of a child's educational experiences. (Adapted from The Multicultural Project for Communication and Education, 1981, Caring for Children in a Social Context.)

Because we are concerned foremost with creating quality care and education for all children, the child and children are at the center of our curriculum and study. We see children as competent able persons actively engaged in meaning making in the multiple contexts in which they find themselves. We recognize the singular importance of parents and families in nurturing young children and strive to develop reciprocal relationships with diverse families. Family's rich knowledge of their children should inform caregiving and educational practices, and our advocacy efforts should be based on that knowledge.

As we see it, the central component of teachers' development as teacher researchers is continual reflection on their own and others' educational practices. We believe that careful reflection and examination will help teachers-in-the-making to develop powerful tools as caring, talented and committed professionals who will be equipped to address our stated program strands.

I. General Pedagogical Core (10 credits)

E25.2077 Language and Literacy in the Early Years (3)
E27.2010 Inquiries in Teaching and Learning III (4)
E75.2026 Young Special Needs Child: Family and Community I (3)

II. Pedagogical Content Knowledge Core (12 credits)

E25.2024 Issues in Early Childhood Education (3)
E25.2012 Multicultural Perspectives in Social Studying (3)
E75.2160 Educating Children w/Special Needs in Early Childhood Settings (3)
E25.2004 Integrating Seminar in Early Childhood Education III (3)

III. Specialized Pedagogical Core (12 credits)

E25.2002 Integrating Seminar in Early Childhood Education I (1)
E25.2003 Integrating Seminar in Early Childhood Education II (2)
E25.2037 Curriculum in Early Childhood Educ.: Theory and Methods in Integrated Curriculum (2)
E25.2038 Curriculum in Early Childhood Educ.: Materials and Practice in Integrated Curriculum (3)  E25.2255 Field Placements in Early Childhood (2)
E78.2050 Arts in Early Childhood Curriculum I (1)
E78.2051 Arts in Early Childhood Curriculum II (1)

IV. Student Teaching (5 credits)

E25.2255 Field Experiences in Early Childhood (1) 

E25.2360 Student Teaching in Early Childhood I (2)
E25.2361 Student Teaching in Early Childhood II (3)

V. Terminal Experience (2 credits)

E25.2370 Culminating Seminar in Early Childhood Education (2)

VI. Social Responsibilities of Teachers (0 credit)

E27.2999 Drug, Alcohol Education, Child Abuse ID, School Violence Prevention Workshop (0)

Sample Program of Study