Our innovative program focuses on the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children within the context of the family and community. The program curriculum has been designed to ensure that students are provided the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary to be able to work confidently with and create programs for children and families and to be eligible to pursue further studies, such as teacher’s college, graduate programs or specific therapeutic approaches. The program offers students the opportunity to develop a strong skill-set through participation in a variety of field placements and the knowledge required for a professional career in a leadership position in any area working with children and families in the private or public sector.

Students are required to complete 20.00 credits in order to be eligible for graduation. This includes 17.00 core credits, and 3.00 additional credits consisting of 1.50 restricted elective credits and 1.50 general elective credits. If opting to complete an area of emphasis, students are encouraged to declare an area of emphasis by the start of the sixth (6th) semester of full-time study; transfer students must declare an area of emphasis prior to applying to graduate. Only one area of emphasis may be declared. Students must complete these requirements in order to be eligible to graduate with both the university honours degree (awarded by the University of Guelph) and the college diploma (awarded by Humber). No option exists to graduate with only one of the above listed credentials as the program is fully integrated.

Conditions for Graduation

In addition to meeting all program specific course and credit requirements, students must have a minimum 60% cumulative average in order to be eligible for graduation. Students will not normally be eligible to graduate while on Probationary status or Required to Withdraw status. A student denied graduation while on Probationary status or Required to Withdraw status may submit a request for Academic Consideration to the Academic Review Sub-Committee.

Practicums

Practicum 1

Student’s first field practicum is a 6 day job shadow experience that explores the role of a professional early childhood educator in early learning settings.

Practicum 2

Student’s second field practicum experience focuses on infant and toddler early learning settings. The student will follow the ministry and college of ECE requirements while gaining practical skills and implementing their theoretical knowledge during this 15 day practicum.

Practicum 3

Student’s third field practicum experience focuses on special needs. The student will follow the ministry and college of ECE requirements while engaging and interacting with children with a variety of needs, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. The student will gain practical skills and implement their theoretical knowledge during this 15 day practicum.

Practicum 4

Student’s fourth field practicum experience focuses on the role of the professional in the community. The student will follow the ministry and college of ECE requirements while engaging and interacting with children and families in community settings. The student will gain practical skills and implement their theoretical knowledge during this 15 day practicum.

Practicum 5 and 6

Student’s fifth and sixth practicum experiences focus on the role of the professional in an environment which impacts children and families. These field practicum experiences are designed to support the individual student’s career or professional goals. The student will gain practical skills and implement their theoretical knowledge during this full academic year 52 day practicum.

Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose an optional area of emphasis. In order to obtain recognition for an area of emphasis, students are required to complete a minimum of 1.50 restricted elective credits from the listing in that area. Only one area of emphasis may be declared.

Children's Futures [CF]

This area of emphasis provides students with the opportunity to consider the impact of technology and innovation in children’s lives. Students will grapple with global technology and privacy laws and policies, ethical issues, exploring topics such as AI and bias in our society and developing forecasting and design thinking skills to think and work in this profession.

Infant & Child Mental Health [MH]

This area of emphasis provides students with additional knowledge and skills to enhance their career in making a positive contribution to the positive mental health of infants, children, and families. This AOE will support students in developing the following skills: practical application of current research; recognizing risk and preventive factors; and application of early intervention.

Pathway to Child Life [CL]

This area of emphasis provides students an opportunity to gain all of the course work required to become a certified child life specialist. The Certified Child Life Specialist credential is issued by the Child Life Certification Commission, a subsidiary of the Association of Child Life Professionals. The child life profession promotes optimal development of infants, children, youth and family members to minimize psychosocial trauma in children facing challenging experiences related to health care and hospitalization.

Schedule of Studies

Note: All courses are weighted 0.50 credits unless noted otherwise.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Semester 1
AHSS*1130	Principles of Sociology	0.50
ECS*1000	Foundational Theories & Practice	0.50
ECS*1010	Infant and Toddler Development	0.50
PSYC*1110	Introduction to Psychology	0.50
0.50 electives		0.50
Semester 2
ECS*1030	Field Practicum I	0.50
ECS*1050	Early and Middle Childhood Development	0.50
ECS*1060	Health and Safety in Early Childhood Settings	0.50
ECS*1070	The Science of Play	0.50
0.50 electives		0.50
Semester 3
ECS*2010	Observational Pedagogies: Reflection and Documentation	0.50
ECS*2050	Pedagogical Practices & Planning I: Early Childhood	0.50
ECS*2080	Social Justice in the Field of Early Childhood Studies	0.50
SCMA*2020	Basic Concepts of Anatomy and Physiology	0.50
SCMA*2040	Research Methods for Social Science	0.50
Semester 4
ECS*2040	Field Practicum II	0.50
ECS*2060	Pedagogical Practices & Planning II: School-Age	0.50
ECS*2070	Children with Exceptionalities	0.50
ECS*2100	Infant and Child Mental Health	0.50
0.50 electives		0.50
Semester 5
ECS*3030	Field Practicum III	0.50
ECS*3090	Family Perspectives	0.50
ECS*3100	Implementing Interventions for Children	0.50
ECS*3110	Mental Health and Trauma	0.50
SCMA*3040	Quantitative Methods for Social Science	0.50
Semester 6
ECS*3060	Field Practicum IV	0.50
ECS*3080	Assessment and Intervention with Children and Families	0.50
ECS*3200	Supporting Children's Voices: Strategies for Professionals	0.50
ECS*3210	Children's Rights, Law & Policy	0.50
0.50 restricted electives		0.50
Semester 7
ECS*4010	Inter-Professional Collaboration	0.50
ECS*4070	Field Practicum V	1.00
ECS*4100	Advocacy and Leadership	0.50
0.50 restricted electives		0.50
Semester 8
ECS*4030	Professional Issues in Early Childhood Studies	0.50
ECS*4040	Program Development, Administration, and Evaluation	0.50
ECS*4080	Field Practicum VI	1.00
or ECS*4800	Honours Research Seminar in Early Childhood Studies
0.50 restricted electives		0.50

Restricted Electives

Children's Futures [CF]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECS*3150	Ethics and Privacy with Children	0.50
ECS*3160	Technology and Innovation	0.50
ECS*3170	Designing for the Future	0.50

Infant & Child Mental Health [MH]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECS*3190	Developmental Neuroscience	0.50
ECS*3230	Social Epigenetics	0.50
ECS*3300	Grief and Loss	0.50

Pathway to Child Life [CL]

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECS*2030	Development in Adolescence	0.50
ECS*3120	Introduction to Child Life	0.50
ECS*3300	Grief and Loss	0.50