syllabus for 417

                                 University of Louisiana at Lafayette
                                         School of Human Resources
                        HUMR 417: Environments For Young Children [Spring 2005]

Instructor: Dr. Nancy Coghill                                    Office Hours: M-F 9-11 (Nursery School)
Office: 319 Hamilton Hall                                                         W 3-4
Telephone: 482-6576; NS 482-5369                          Other times by appointment. Appointment
email: ncoghill@louisiana.edu                                            recommended for all meetings

UL Lafayette Bulletin course description (2003-2005) : Designing environments appropriate to developmental needs of young children, impact of the environment on direct and indirect guidance techniques. Includes participation at UL Lafayette Nursery School laboratory

Required Course Materials : Physical Examination including TB test (Form to be completed on instructor's website); Completed Student Information Form (website); Uniform T-shirt; Lab Participation Manual (website); Class packet; LA Class A Child Care Regulations (available on website Department of Social Services, Bureau of Licensing); Articles on Instructor's website( Making out your will; Have you been wondering why?).
Required Textbook:

Cryer, D., Harms, T., Riley, C. (2003). All about the ECERS-R. Lewisville, NC: PACT House Publishing.

Course Objectives:
(1) To develop an understanding of the philosophy of the traditional nursery school and make comparisons of this philosophy with alternative programs.
(2) To understand ethics and professionalism in the careers focusing on young children.
(3) To design appropriate and functional early childhood facilities and programs.
(4) To identify and study policy-making entities for child-related issues.
(5) To explore issues of culture and diversity related to children's environments.
(6) To learn principles of early childhood behavior and the related techniques of developmentally appropriate guidance.
(7) To apply principles of development, guidance, and human relationships in the nursery school.

COURSE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Jan 10 Introduction & assignments                                          Mar 7    Routines Ch 9-11
Jan 11 Lab orientation, TR sections (lab packet required)                Mar 9 Routines Ch 12-14
Jan 12 Lab orientation, MWF sections (lab packet required)
Jan 12 Participation Manual                                                             Mar 14   Activities Fine Motor Ch 19
                                                                                                           Mar 16    Art/ Music Ch 20-21

Jan 19 Licensing Regs Mar 21 Blocks; Sand/Water Ch 22-23
Mar 23 Dramatic Play Ch 24

Jan 24 Participation & Regs Apr 4 Math & Science Ch 25-26
Jan 26 Exam 1 Apr 6 Diversity Ch 28, 37

Jan 31 Guidance Apr. 11 International Perspectives
Feb. 2 Guidance Ch 34 Apr 13 Exam 3

Feb 14 Guidance Apr 18 Floor Plan Ch 1-5
Feb 16 Guidance Ch 29-33 Apr 20 Floor Plan

Feb 21 Guidance Apr 25 Floor Plan
Feb 23 Guidance Apr 27 Floor Plan (Due Friday, April 29)

Feb 28 Exam 2 May 6 Friday, 10:15-12:45 PSA's
Mar 2 No Class (SECA)

Course instruction methods: Lecture, discussion, demonstration, laboratory participation, projects.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures : A map of this floor is posted near the elevator marking the evacuation route and the Designated Rescue Area. This is an area where emergency service personnel will go first to look for individuals who need assistance in exiting the building. Students who need assistance should identify themselves to the instructor.

Course Evaluation: Exams (3)        250 Points
                                 Lab                   200                 Grade determined on 90%, 80%.
                                 PSA Project        25                            70%, 60% of the total points
                                  Floor Plan           25.
                                                        500 Total points

Attendance Policy:
All students are required to be in class and on time for class and assigned laboratory experiences. A professional attitude is to be maintained during your participation in class. University regulations regarding no tobacco, no eating, no drinking in class will be observed (water excepted). Students behaving inappropriately will be asked to leave the learning environment. Beepers and cell phones must be silent during class.

Assignment Policy:
Assignments will not be accepted after the due date (2:00 p.m.), however, they will be accepted any time prior to that date. All projects required for this class are expected to be prepared in a professional manner.

Course Assignments:
(1) Students are responsible for all classroom material presented, assigned readings, and class handouts.

(2) Four hours of participation in the lab each week . You are expected to attend every week for which you are scheduled. Before participation with children, each student must submit a completed Physician's Report Form and verification of negative current TB test. An Information Form must also be on file for each student. (Forms available on this website)
    Lab students are responsible for verification of their lab attendance. Lab time cards must remain in the NS to be valid. Lab credit will not be given unless complete sign-in, sign-out procedures are followed. Lab experiences are evaluated through observation by the professional Nursery School staff. Evaluation is based on student responsibility, initiative, cooperation, attitude, professionalism, application of classroom and lab manual information, and improvement throughout the semester.
    Lab students are expected to be at the Nursery School and ready to work by 8:00. Between 8 and 8:25 students will assist in preparing the environment for the morning. Each student will be assigned responsibilities which will rotate throughout the semester.
    Lab reports will be completed by students after each lab experience. (Total 10)
One-fourth of the lab credit (50 points) will be the result of quality assessment of lab journals and Park Ranger projects.

(3) Three exams will be given. The format of these exams will be multiple choice, short answer, and application of information from class and lab experiences. Exam 1 has a value of 50 points. Exams 2 & 3 have a value of 100 points each.

(4) Students will read assigned early childhood articles and prepare written and oral reports to be presented in class during the university-assigned final exam time period. Articles will be provided and presentations will be in the style of PSA's and news releases. Each presentation will have visual aids. Presentations will be given via video tape. Evaluation will be based on quality of content in both written and oral report; appropriateness; creativity & professionalism in presentation, both written and oral.

PSA's
Audience - Caregivers for children 2-5 years: child care staff or family child care home provider Time - 30 seconds
Media - videotape which can be shown on standard VHS format (i.e. the department's video equipment)
Student must appear in the video.

News Releases Audience -- The same as PSA; Length -- Max. 1 page typed, double-spaced

(5) Student will design a scale floor plan for a class of 4 year old children. Dimensions of the classroom are 20'X22'. Tables, chairs, lockers, play equipment for the maximum number of children permitted by LA regulations must be included. Activity centers for DP, S/W, Art, Library, Manipulatives, Blocks must be included. Space for snack & group time must be designated. Two doorways -- one to hallway, one to children's bathroom, must be indicated. Windows must be indicated along walls. Plan must include a legend and an accompanying justification for all required components. Due Friday, April 29, 2 pm. Evaluation based on completeness, quality of product, application of course information to decisions made and expressed.