Early Childhood Care & Education (Infant and Toddler) - Human Services Diploma

ECCE 200 Infant Growth and Development. This course will explore child development from theoretical perspectives and will examine ways of enhancing young children's development. Conceptual themes to be addressed include: developmentally appropriate practice, the competent child, diversity, responsive caring, relationships, child centered environments, emotional safety, and creativity.

ECCE 260 Health Care in Infant and Toddler Programs includes the planning, establishment and maintenance of a safe and healthy environment regarding: food preparation and handling, planning nutritious snacks and meals, diapering/toileting, accident prevention and hazard identification, medication, illness management and assessment, modelling healthy practices and utilizing community health resources.

HSER 254 Core Concepts in Human Services introduces students to the concepts of theory and practice in Human Services and the interrelationship between the two. A number of theoretical perspectives on change are explored from both a Child and Youth Care and Social Service Worker orientation, including multicultural, feminist, developmental and post modern perspectives. Each of the theoretical perspectives studied offer a basis for understanding the helping relationship and personal change processes. An emphasis will be placed on psychodynamic, humanist, cognitive/behavioural, systemic and solution-focused/narrative approaches to practice.

HSER 258 Fundamentals of Change 1 is designed to assist the student to develop self-awareness as a helper and to develop both an understanding and a beginning level of skill. Students are required to participate in exercises, role plays, simulations and video taping in interviews and counselling in order to accomplish the course objectives.

HSER 267 Leadership in Human Services provides a basic introduction to leadership concepts.  Students self-reflect as they explore the concepts of emotional intelligence, leadership style, and the qualities and attributes of an effective leader.  Students create a plan for developing personal leadership skills and have opportunities to improve their leadership performance in managing conflict, overcoming obstacles, and establishing a constructive climate.

INDG 287: Introduction to Indigenous Teachings and Practices. This course will provide students with an introduction to Indigenous studies, including key concepts, themes and topics relevant to Indigenous histories and contemporary practices. The history and impact of colonialism, residential schools and oppression will be explored. We will explore Indigenous Worldview and ways in which we can respectfully participate in creating a future vision which embodies respect for cultural diversity and the health of our planet. Local wisdom keepers will be invited to share stories.

ECCE 285 Practices with Infants and Toddlers. This culmination course is designed to prepare the student to work as an Early Childhood Educator with children under three years. Emphasis will be on professional decision making; designing and implementing a safe nurturing inclusive program. This course builds on and expands knowledge from the basic ECCE program regarding early childhood theory, philosophies, historical approaches and high quality care.

ENGL 111: Introduction to Literature is about living more intensely. Rather than providing answers, literature prompts us to ask better questions of ourselves and each other. Drama, poetry, short stories, and novels will guide us in discussion, reflection, and writing about literature.

HSER 255 Professional Foundations for Human Services explores foundations of Human Service Worker professional practice through an examination of the issues surrounding professional identity, ethical practice, and the interdisciplinary team approach. The skills required for communicating as a professional and as a team member, both oral and written, are developed throughout the course.

HSER 259 Fundamentals of Change II is designed to assist students to build advanced helping skills on the base developed in HSER 258. Students will learn to use their helping relationships and interpersonal communication skills within the framework of the helping process model. Students are required to demonstrate their skill development on video tape, as well as demonstrate analytical skills which will require both self-awareness and knowledge of the helping model. The focus is on the skills required to carry out action planning, support of action and evaluation of outcomes in helping interventions.

PSYC 100: Introductory Psychology I is an introduction to the methods, theory and practice of psychology as a science. Among others, topics will include motivation and emotion, learning and memory, biological foundations, sensation and perception. Other topics are added at the discretion of the individual instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.

ECCE 282 Infant/Toddler Observation Practicum provides the student with opportunities for supervised practical experience and directed observation of individual infants and toddlers as well as group settings designed for infants and toddlers. Ten hours of individual child observations may be done in homes, family day care, or other informal settings. The forty hours of Infant-Toddler Centre observations will be arranged in a variety of locations.

ECCE 286 Infant Toddler Practicum experience is designed to provide the student, under supervision, with opportunities to apply and consolidate knowledge and skills in working with infants and toddlers in group settings. Five weeks in length, this block practicum places each student in an early childhood setting for children under age three.