Early Childhood Education State Short Certificate: Outdoor Learning Environments

This Certificate is the second step of the State Stackable Certificates with a specialization in Outdoor Learning environments. This certificate will build on the initial state certificate with an emphasis in the benefits of outdoor learning for children and explore the teacher’s role in supporting learning in the outdoor learning environment.

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Program Requirements

Prerequisites

ECED& 120 - Early Childhood Practicum
requires clearance using the Portable Background Checkrequired by the Division of Children Youth and Families and managed by Merit.

Program Core Courses

Total Program Credits: 20

Program Outcomes

Describe developmental milestones from birth to 36 months articulating the influences of individual development, temperament and cultural norms.
Articulate a plan that creates reciprocal, culturally sensitive partnerships with families.
Develop an outline for effective home visits that includes awareness of family and home visitor safety
Create a plan for effective communication with families to develop shared goals and understanding of school readiness skills.
Define Reflective Practice and identify how it might be implemented
Construct a curriculum to be delivered in a home visiting or group socialization model, checking for developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriateness
Build, analyze, and evaluate the principles, benefits, and challenges of nature-based outdoor learning for young children, emphasizing the educator’s crucial role, adult comfort levels, and the importance of appropriate risk-taking in child development.