Christina Brown, Contributor
Michael Bolling, Contributor
Pictured above: Early childhood program developers discuss the start of more opportunities education majors have at Lewis.
The College of Education is making its presence known on campus with its latest addition of the early childhood education program, which will go into effect in the fall of next year.
The program will consist of an undergraduate and graduate program that will give education majors even more opportunities to learn and help make a difference as teachers.
The plan for an early childhood education program for undergraduates and graduates has been under construction for several years and has consisted of extensive research, many faculty hours, state education departments and national and local educators.
“The undergrad program will consist of 128 credit hours, including a special education endorsement as well as English as a second language endorsement,” said the program’s lead developer, Suzanne O’Brien. “Field experiences will be provided in the three age groups: infant and toddler, Pre-K, and kindergarten through third grade. The graduate level program will consist of 33 to 39 credit hours with field experiences embedded in courses, including a special education endorsement, English as a second language endorsement and an eight-week student teaching component for those candidates who do not have documented pre-service student teaching in the primary grades or validated teaching experience.”
Education is a field that continues to evolve, and with constant research being done on different education programs, it has been found that an early childhood program is a top priority for colleges.
“Current research by early childhood organizations to enhance the quality of young children’s lives has now become a national and international priority,” said O’Brien. “This research supported by the Department of Education has demonstrated a critical need to develop teachers with structured, specific, in-depth training for this age group of birth through age eight. The early childhood years provide the foundation for all later learning and the development of life skills.”
The early childhood education program will offer teachers an opportunity to help students with learning problems early on at a young age, which can bring lasting benefits to young children.
The early years are crucial in the formation of intelligence, personality and social behavior, and it is critical that children’s physical, social and psychological abilities reach full capacity, according to O’Brien.
According to Pamela Jessee, College of Education associate dean, everything in the research is showing that early intervention is key to getting children off to the right start.
“The earlier we start to work with students who have academic, emotional, or behavioral deficits, the more likely it is for us to help ready those students for school and for access to general education curriculum,” said Jessee.
Education majors can now have more opportunities and look forward to adding early childhood education to their list of options. Being an early childhood educator will allow education majors to help start an educational foundation for a child’s educational career.
“It is the 21st century and time for all those who work with the early childhood children to recognize their needs and be prepared to make a difference,” said O’Brien. “The growing popularity and need for preschool programs throughout the university’s surrounding areas continues to demonstrate the wisdom of Lewis University to extend program offerings to include an early childhood program and thereby offer programs leading to certification from birth through secondary.”
Video provided by Christina Brown and Michael Bolling.
Christina Brown
PDF 
