Humanities Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences: Early Childhood

Michelle List
Lecturer, Humanities
Early Childhood Program
(315) 866-0300 or toll free 1-888-GO-4-HCCC, ext. 8433

Program Summary

The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching young children. Graduates are prepared to:

• Interact with young children in a professional, supportive and nurturing manner
• Plan and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment
• Design and implement developmentally-appropriate curricula
• Observe and document developmental progress
• Facilitate home-center communication

Program of Study at Herkimer

• English I and II
• Freshman Seminar
• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• First Aid and Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Fundamentals of Art in Early Childhood Education
• Introductory Psychology
• Child Growth and Develoment
• Develomental Psychology
• Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education
• Literature for Children
• Practicum I: Early Childhood*
• Interpersonal Communication
• Introductiory Sociology
• Marriage and Family
• Practicum II: Early Childhood*
• Fundamentals of Music for Early Childhood Educaiton
• Introduciton to Exceptionalities
• Social Problems
• Various Electives

* See Catalog for Practicum Requirements.

Click Early Childhood for the current program of study page.

Skill Requirements

• Kindness, courage, integrity
• a thorough knowledge of childhood stages and development
• the ability to work with diverse and special needs children
• the ability to work closely with parents and community organizations

Nature of the Work

• Planning developmentally appropriate curriculum and program activities
• Evaluating goals and assessing student achievement
• Interacting with children from birth to eight years old

Job Outlook

Graduates will be prepared to accept positions ranging from Teacher Assistant to Teacher in Child Day Care Centers, Preschools, Head Start programs and a variety of other early childhood facilities.