Course Syllabus

Course: HFST 2620

Division: Social and Behavioral Science
Department: Education and Family Studies
Title: Creative Experiences for Children

Semester Approved: Spring 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
End Semester: Fall 2028

Catalog Description: This course offers experiences in planning and implementing activities that will encourage intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development in young children. The course focuses on developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum that involves educational materials and physical learning spaces that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 lab hours in the Snow College Child Development Lab. The skills developed are directed specifically to the philosophy and resources of Snow College’s Child Development Lab, but will be adaptable for use in other daycares, preschools, early elementary grade classrooms, and in parenting

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 2; Lab: 2

Prerequisites: N/A

Corequisites: N/A


Justification: Early Childhood teachers facilitate appropriate learning by planning developmentally appropriate curricula that appeal to the child's needs for exploration and creativity. Child Care Management Program graduates consistently find work in centers where they are required to plan and implement curriculum daily, as well as offer routine care for children. This course gives support to current theory as the students learn to plan and implement creative curricula as part of this approach. HFST 2620 is a core class for the Child Care Management Applied Associate Degree Program. HFST 2620 is a core course for majors of Child Development/Early Childhood Education, and is a recommended course for Family and Consumer Science Education. Courses similar in content and purpose are taught at colleges and universities throughout the state. This course transfers to other institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to define and discuss the essential elements of "development appropriate practice," its history in child development, and major proponents in the field.  Students knowledge will be assessed by class discussion, written assignments, and exam.

Students must be able to demonstrate that they can write and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages infant through eight years of age.  The outcome will be measured by written project and a short-answer exam.

Students of this course will be required to develop a resource file to be used in curriculum planning and implementation for preschool age children. The resource file will meet the outcome by completing a series of projects and exams.

Students will be required to demonstrate self confidence and skill in directing young children in learning activities.  The outcome will be assessed through instructor observation of individual micro-lessons, group presentations, and classroom discussion and attendance.


Content:
This course utilizes several methods of instruction to demonstrate to students the need and desire for children to have creative experiences including a focus on culture and diversity in learning and background.This course will include: • Foster Creativity and Aesthetics in Young Children• Planning and implementing Creative Activities• Art and the Development of the Young Child• The early Childhood Art Program• Play, Development, and Creativity • Creative Activities in Other Curricular Area• Gross and Fine Motor Skills• Language Development Objectives and Activities for Infants and Toddlers • Basic Program Equipment and Materials for an Early Childhood Center• Room and Yard Organization

Key Performance Indicators:
Exams & Observations.  30 to 45%

Projects & Assignments  35 to 45%

Attendance & Discussion  15 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
(Recommended text) Mayesky, M. (current edition), Creative activities for young children.


Pedagogy Statement:
This course uses a variety of teaching methods and technologies that include but are not limited to lecture, discussion, hands-on experiences, observation, and collaboration. This course provides a capstone project to connect early childhood curriculum development that can be transferred to on-the-job experience. Teaching modes should demonstrate inclusivity while also recognizing varied abilities, interests, and needs.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 20