Program Worksheet-Early Childhood, AAS Fall 2023
Early Childhood
A.A.S. Degree, Microcredential
Early Childhood
Early childhood-the period from birth through age eight-is a distinct period of life that has value in itself as well as creating foundations for later years. (National Association for the Education of Young Children). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of pre-school teachers is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2008-2018. Continued emphasis on the importance of early childhood education has led many states to offer full day and universal pre-school. This program provides job-related skills that are in high demand.
The early childhood degree program provides coursework and field experience to help you be a knowledgeable and competent early childhood professional. You will learn a philosophy of teaching and learning, child development, and how to design and provide experiences for children in science, social studies, literature, math, music, and art.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of working early childhood professionals who need further education, and the needs of recent high school graduates who wish to pursue a career in the early childhood field.
Field Experience
Extensive field experience is a vital and required piece of the early childhood degree. You will complete a minimum 112 hours of supervised field experience in a licensed or certified day care center, pre-kindergarten - 2nd grade, or nursery school. In addition, ECHD 206 requires a minimum 45 hours of supervised field experience.
Careers on Career Coach
The early childhood degree program provides in-demand skills. Graduates of this program are prepared for positions as teachers at a child care center or nursery school, family child care providers, family workers, and teacher’s assistants in special education, elementary school, or Head Start. Learn more about related jobs:
Transfer Options
Among transfer options are programs offered at:
- SUNY College at Cortland
- Elmira College
- Ithaca College
- SUNY New Paltz
- Keuka College
- Roberts Wesleyan College
Degree Requirements
A.A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation:
61 credits
Fall Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15| ECHD110, Children and the Arts, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ECHD125, Introduction to Early Childhood Education, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| PSYC103, Introduction to Psychology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
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Use Schedule Search for electives |
Spring Term 1
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15| ECHD225, Early Childhood Curriculum Development, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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Fall Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 15| ECHD206, Infant/Toddler Environments and Curriculum, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL102, Approaches to Literature, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| PSYC205, Childhood Psychology, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| SOCI201, Sociology of the Family, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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Spring Term 2
Minimum Total Semester Credits: 16| ECHD240, Techniques for Observing and Recording Young Children's Development, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ECHD242, Guided Field Work - Early Childhood Education, 4 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL220, Literature for Children, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses
Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.
Degree Requirements
Microcredential: Early Childhood Assistant*
Minimum Credits for Graduation:
12 credits
ECHD 125 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3
ECHD 110 Children and the Arts 3
ECHD 206 Infant/Toddler Environments and Curriculum 3
ECHD 225 Early Childhood Curriculum Development 3
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Cross-listed as HUMS 125. This course focuses on the functioning of the total child, stressing the importance of early childhood education in a diverse society. Emphasis is placed upon the need to understand child growth and development, developmentally appropriate practices, positive guidance, and the importance of working with families. The students use observational worksheets in natural settings. Educational philosophy, legislation, public policy concerning the young child, and an overview of child care services are also discussed. The NYS (New York State) Common Core standards will be discussed. Students will be required to spend 20 hours of observation and participation in an early childhood setting throughout the semester.
Children and the Arts
This course is a study of the creative arts processes in visual art, drama, literature, music, and movement for students preparing to work with young children. Opportunities are given to identify and develop programs, lessons and activities to meet young children's needs in the area of creative arts. The value of the arts in early childhood, both as an important end and as tools for success in other areas is discussed (NAEYC).
Infant/Toddler Environments and Curriculum
Focuses on the education and care of infants and toddlers. The course examines the principles of planning a developmentally appropriate, safe, and healthy environment for children younger than three years old, and takes an in-depth look at the impact of cultures on the learning environment. The relationship between the infant/toddler learning environment and the curriculum is thoroughly investigated. The intent of the course is to develop a curriculum for infants and toddlers, that evolves around care-giving tasks and play (with the resulting adult-child interactions) that create meaningful growth-producing learning experiences for young children. Students spend 45 hours throughout the semester in an infant/toddler field placement.
Early Childhood Curriculum Development
Introduces and examines recent research in the field of early childhood development and uses it to develop curriculum for young children. Emergent, developmentally appropriate, anti-bias, and creative curriculum are discussed and integrated. Students demonstrate situations and analyze possible effects of methods discussed in class. Readings on methods and materials in the early childhood classroom are required.
* Please contact admissions. Financial aid restrictions apply. Student must complete 50% of microcredential coursework at TC3 to earn credential.
Student Showcase
Grad of Note - James Spaulding
Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland?
Many of the reasons I chose to come to TC3 are practical in nature. It’s on a bus line. It’s cheaper and closer than alternatives, for instance. But none of this would have mattered if people in my life that I love and trust hadn’t spoken so highly of their time at TC3.
Who at TC3 had the greatest positive impact on your experience?
Many people had an impact on me, but Anna Regula easily had the greatest impact. Sometimes people would offer me a ride, but Anna drove me to TC3 every Saturday for a semester. I learned a lot from many people, but it was Anna who taught me more than the others (it helped that she taught so many of my classes). I confided and bonded with a few professors, but it was Anna who became a friend. It was Anna that got me a field placement at Ithaca Community Childcare Center (IC3) where I am now employed.
What were your extracurricular involvements at and how did they contribute to your college experience/future aspirations?
My busy work and school schedules did not accommodate the extracurricular groups I was interested in joining, so I invested in connections. I took every opportunity to connect with my professors and other classmates. I sought and gave help freely, and learned a lot from the process. Each time I assisted a classmate I was reinforcing my confidence as an educator.
What are your next steps after graduation (employment, transfer, etc.), and how did the College prepare you for that?
It was my ambition to become a preschool teacher that brought me to TC3. It was my coursework that brought me to IC3, where I was hired as a pre-school teacher immediately after I graduated. I was teaching for only a few months before the pandemic started, and now I provide childcare for essential personnel. I am going to just enjoy my achievements for a while and take the time to master my craft. Maybe someday I’ll have another vision and end up in college again. TC3 helped me achieve my dream by helping me hone my skills and expand my knowledge and understanding. My time at TC3 helped me believe in myself.