he Early Childhood Educator Initial Licensure Program is a ROPA approved 18-credit sequence of courses, field experiences, and seminar designed to prepare educators without a Vermont license in any field to fulfill the requirements for an early childhood educator license. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, VT-HEC will recommend educators to the Agency of Education for an initial early childhood educator license.
New cohorts begin every summer. This program is affiliated with Vermont State University.
Applicants must have:
Applicants should first contact Manuela Fonseca, the VT-HEC EC/ECSE program director, to arrange a meeting to discuss this program and if it is a “good fit.” Applications are accepted during the summer and fall semesters.
For questions or to request an application, please contact Manuela Fonseca at [email protected]
Advanced Child Development (Year 1, Summer Semester)
This course is designed to provide current and aspiring early childhood and early childhood special educators with an opportunity to acquire in-depth knowledge of children’s typical and atypical development across all domains, from conception through middle childhood. The course will assist educators to develop a deep understanding of how children develop and apply this knowledge not only in classroom assignments, but more importantly in their work as early childhood educators.
We will study child development by observing children, examining the research, and considering various theoretical perspectives that have formed our interpretations of how and why children develop in both similar and unique ways. We will explore the cultural and familial contexts in which children develop, and the factors that impact their development through readings, discussions, multimedia, child observations, and personal experiences. In addition, participants will develop a better understanding of research methods and refine their observational skills.
In this course, students will conduct observations of children at different stages of development and then analyze and interpret their observations by applying what they are learning in this course. Students will also do in-depth research into a topic in child development that interests them and teach others what they have discovered.
Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education (Year 1, Fall Semester)
This course focuses on five major areas of teaching and learning:
In this course, participants will learn how to plan a curriculum that integrates various disciplines, including the visual arts and creative expression. Strategies for promoting young children’s social and emotional development, and for including children of all abilities will be explored.
Teaching preK-grade 3 Language Arts (Year 1, Spring Semester)
This course is designed to address the literacy related competencies of the early childhood educator (PreK-3rd grade) endorsement and initial licensure. It delves into how children construct knowledge about literacy and develop the ability to read and write. It also focuses on how teachers can support the early literacy development of children in preschool, kindergarten, and the primary grades by creating literacy rich environments and using developmentally appropriate instructional and assessment strategies.
Early Language and Literacy Development (Year 2, Summer Semester)
This course focuses on the nature of language development (including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) from infancy through grade three. It examines the developmental progression of phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax, and pragmatics as well as various theoretical perspectives of how language develops. This course also provides a basic overview of the neurological underpinnings of language along with an understanding of cultural and linguistic aspects of first and second language acquisition and communication disorders. The connections between oral speech and language skills to early literacy development and later literacy skills are examined, as well as a preliminary introduction to early writing strategies. The Vermont Early Learning Standards will be utilized as a tool for creating developmentally appropriate language learning opportunities.
Explorations in preK-grade 3 Mathematics (Year 2, Fall Semester)
This course is designed to provide educators with a deeper understanding of the foundational concepts of number and operations, measurement, geometry and spatial reasoning. It will examine how children develop these understandings and explore ways of promoting mathematical reasoning in pre-K through grade three. Individuals will have the opportunity to develop and implement appropriate assessment and instructional strategies in a preK-3rd grade setting, emphasizing the importance of establishing a culture in which mathematics occurs in relevant, authentic ways and in which children have the opportunity to reason, examine relationships, and communicate their ideas with others.
Investigations in preK-grade 3 Science & Social Studies (Year 2, Spring Semester)
This course is required for individuals seeking the early childhood educator (PreK-3rd grade) endorsement or initial licensure. Educators in this class will explore strategies for engaging young children in meaningful explorations of the world around them. The social studies component will focus on historical, geographical, and social science tools and practices that enable children to learn about and connect with the larger community. The science component will help build skills and foundational knowledge necessary to support children’s developing scientific thinking about the natural world. A shared vision for quality instruction of science and social studies will be constructed through an analysis of our work in class as well as opportunities to discuss relevant readings, classroom observations, practicum experiences, and videos of children.
Candidates in the Early Childhood Educator Initial Licensure Program are required to attend an initial licensure seminar that runs from July through May of the second year of the ECE program. The seminar is delivered virtually, once every three weeks, in the late afternoon or evening. The purposes of these seminars are:
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Mailing Address: PO Box 285, Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: (802) 498-3350
Email: [email protected]