Effective: 2025-05-01

Course Description

The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.

General Course Purpose

To prepare students to work with young children in a variety of settings, supporting all aspects of language development including communication, listening, speaking, pre-reading and pre-writing skills

Course Objectives

• Recognize stages and apply theoretical approaches in language and literacy development for young children.
• Apply appropriate strategies for using diverse materials in the development of literacy.
• Assess various strategies for understanding children in context to foster pre-emergent literacy
• Create shared literacy experiences.
• Recognize the role of observation and assessment in language and literacy development.
• Select equitable and inclusive strategies for language and literacy for all learners
• Identify and analyze assessments as they relate to language development and literacy
• Select equitable and inclusive strategies for language and literacy instruction for all learners
• Create an environment that promotes early literacy
• Apply current state and national standards as they relate to language development and literacy
• Identify and apply current State and national standards and competencies as they relate to working with children and families.

Major Topics to be Included

• Language developmental trajectory: Typical/Atypical language development
• Communication systems
• Receptive and Expressive/Productive Language
• Emergent reading and writing
• Family role in language and literacy development.