Bachelor of Science in Education
College of Education and Human Development

The Early Childhood Education Program is a highly competitive program that prepares teachers to construct developmentally appropriate education, for all children ages 3-8, in collaboration with their families. The vision of the program is to develop pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and primary grade teachers who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to:

• create, teach and assess child-centered, constructivist learning experiences for all children in inclusive and diverse classrooms;
• engage and collaborate with families, communities and other professionals to support the learning and development of all young children;
• teach and nurture young children based on knowledge of child development, educational psychology and diversity in our society;
• act as early childhood professionals who are continuous, collaborative and reflective learners, who act using ethical guidelines and who advocate for young children and their families.

BGSU Firelands now also offers students the opportunity to complete the entire bachelor of science degree in early childhood education on its campus.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in a variety of educational settings for young children, including daycare centers, pre-kindergartens, kindergartens and the primary grades of 1-3. The program meets Ohio licensure requirements for teaching young children.

Curriculum

Based on a background in child development, educational psychology and developmentally appropriate practices, students have coursework and clinical experiences to address the four programmatic strands:

Constructivist, Child-centered Pedagogy

Planning and implementing a curriculum that is interdisciplinary, active and engaging as well as facilitates the growth and learning of all children based upon individual needs, backgrounds, research and content standards.

Developmental and Diverse Perspectives

Assessing the needs and progress of all children to create an inclusive classroom that reflects cultural diversity and multiple perspectives.

Collaboration with Families, Communities and Other Professionals

Partnering to meet the individual needs of young children and their families by contributing assessment data and instructional knowledge, listening reflectively and engaging in mutual decision making.

Commitment to Professionalism and Reflective Practice

Acting as an early childhood professional who reflects on practice, makes decisions based upon ethics of the profession and advocates to improve the lives of young children and their families.

Before their capstone experience of a student teaching internship, majors engage in a variety of clinical and field experiences including structured observations, tutoring, assessment and teaching of children in small and large groups across pre-kindergarten and kindergarten/primary grade settings.

College Highlights

The College of Education and Human Development focuses on the education of professionals who positively impact the development of individuals, families, communities, schools and other societal institutions. The college vision is to promote a dynamic community of lifelong learners and leaders that provide educational opportunities.
BGSU’s teacher education program is one of the largest and most respected in the country, producing approximately 650 teachers annually. The education programs have earned accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Ohio Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Child Care Resource Center, located in the West Building, provides students with resources to develop hands-on activities. There is also the Cassie Ground Lending Library where students can borrow books and toys. The Early Childhood classroom is actively involved in technology.

BGSU Firelands chapter of the Student Education Association is active on campus.

For Further Information

Debralee Divers
Director
Admissions & Financial Aid
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0683
email: divers@bgsu.edu

Cheryl L. Chafee
Officer
Admissions & Financial Aid
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0683
email: cchafee@bgsu.edu

Anne Leser, Ph. D.
Program Director
Early Childhood Studies
419-433-5560 ext. 2-0928
email: aleser@bgsu.edu

NOTE: Information in this guide is subject to change without notice. To learn more about the official program of study, please check the undergraduate catalog online: http://www.bgsu.edu/catalog - Updated 01/31/07