Program Coordinator/Contact
Mary Bowne, Professor/ECE Coordinator
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Pugsley Hall 139
605-688-5989
Program Information
The Early Childhood Education Minor prepares students to promote development of young children in the areas of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. Students who complete this academic experience may work with children in various settings including preschool, childcare, before and after school programs, etc.
Student Learning Outcomes
Standard 1. Promoting child development and learning
1a: Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs, from birth through Age 8.
1b: Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on early development and learning.
Standard 2. Building family and community relationships
2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics.
Standard 3. Observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families
3a: Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment – including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children.
Standard 4. Using developmentally effective approaches
4a: Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with young children.
4b: Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology.
Standard 5. Using content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
5b: Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines.
Standard 6. Becoming a professional
6b: Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other early childhood professional guidelines.
Course Delivery Format
Courses in Early Childhood Education are delivered face to face, online and hybrid (face to face and online combination). All ECE courses have practical applications in field experience settings in childcare and Pre-K-Grade 3.
