ED 6780 - Partners in Early Childhood Education: Families, Communities, and Schools

This course explores ways to enhance the young child’s development through promoting positive interrelationships among child care providers, parents, and others in the community. Using an ecological framework, the course builds knowledge of diverse family structures, cultural identities, stressors and supports, economic circumstances, community characteristics and resources in facilitating child development, and the roles and responsibilities of medical personnel particularly as they relate to students with exceptionalities. Students will develop the skills needed for communicating effectively with families/care givers, facilitating parent education, and promoting family involvement with individuals at child care settings and other community agencies and resources. (3 Credits)