Course Information

Students will study causes of developmental delay in young children and will address issues related to research-supported instructional content and practice, such as techniques for facilitating learning and modifying methods, materials, environments and teaching style to meet needs of the young child with disabilities in an inclusive early childhood program. The state and national standards are used to frame content-area instruction. Included are development and evaluation of developmentally appropriate educational plans (IFSP/IEP) and instructional objectives, the effects of cultural perspectives and diversity on effective instruction, the use of assessment to evaluate learning environments. Inclusion models, collaborative teaming and consideration of future environment issues, along with methods of promoting effective adult-child and child-child interactions are investigated. This includes modifying materials and environments to include children with disabilities. Students will develop methods of integrating a child's IEP goals into his/her daily activities and routines, incorporating a multidisciplinary approach into the design of intervention strategies for young children.