Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development (Honours)

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have strong observational and analytical skills
• Are willing to work as a member of diverse interprofessional teams
• Have strong language (oral and written) skills
• Are self-reliant and enjoy challenges
• Are interested in child development and teaching children through play
• Are comfortable using computers and other forms of technology
• Enjoy working with children and their families
• Have an appreciation of the importance of research

Early childhood education is a physically demanding profession. Individuals entering this profession must be able to lift children, materials, and equipment (up to 70 pounds). As well, individuals must be able to move quickly/run between areas in the room and outside in order to ensure children`s safety. In addition, educators must constantly observe children to ensure safety and to assess children`s abilities, skills, and interests in order to develop meaningful curricula. Entering the program without these abilities may result in unsuccessful field placements and students who fail to successfully complete field placements are not eligible to graduate from the program.

Level 01

• EDU4110 Human Development I
• EDU4113 Historical Overview of Early Learning and Family Services
• EDU4122 Ethics and Legislation in Early Learning
• ENL1100 Communications and Academic Writing
• PSY4111 Social Psychology

Level 02

• EDU4100 Mentorship I
• EDU4114 Introduction to Curriculum
• EDU4120 Human Development II
• EDU4123 Supporting Children with Exceptionalities
• PHI1000 Logic and Critical Thinking
• PSY4121 Educational Psychology

Level 03

• EDU4200 Mentorship II
• EDU4230 Effective Indoor Environments
• EDU4232 Guiding Behaviour
• FAM4233 Legislation and Ethics in Family Services
• FAM4234 Working with Adults

Elective (Choose 1)

• BIO2200 Botany
• ECO2000 Environmental Economics
• ENL2025 Interpersonal Communication
• FLS3101 French as a Second Language - Beginner 1
• FLS3102 French as a Second Language - Beginner 2
• GEO2300 Principles of Urban Planning
• LAN3101 Spanish - Beginner 1
• LAN3102 Spanish - Beginner 2
• LAW2014 Law
• PHI2002 Ethical Decision Making
• PSI2000 Navigating Canada's Political Landscape
• SCI2000 Environmental Science
• SOC2000 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC2001 Anti-Racism: Theory and Practice

Level 04

• EDU4240 Foundations of Literacy, Numeracy, and Science Development
• EDU4242 Creative Arts for Children
• EDU4243 Administrative Practices
• FLD4244 Field Placement I

Elective (Choose 1)

• BIO2200 Botany
• ECO2000 Environmental Economics
• ENL2025 Interpersonal Communication
• FLS3101 French as a Second Language - Beginner 1
• FLS3102 French as a Second Language - Beginner 2
• GEO2300 Principles of Urban Planning
• LAN3101 Spanish - Beginner 1
• LAN3102 Spanish - Beginner 2
• LAW2014 Law
• PHI2002 Ethical Decision Making
• PSI2000 Navigating Canada's Political Landscape
• SCI2000 Environmental Science
• SOC2000 Introduction to Sociology
• SOC2001 Anti-Racism: Theory and Practice

Level 05

• EDU4353 Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• EDU4354 Cross-Cultural Competencies
• FAM4351 Community Organization
• NAT4352 Nature-Based Early Learning
• PHI2004 Foundations of Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Actions
• EDU4231 Play-Based Pedagogy
• EDU4360 Developing Proposals
• FAM4362 Group Dynamics and Organizational Behaviour
• FLD4361 Field Placement II

Level 07

• EDU4478 Early Learning and Community Development Work Term

Level 08

• EDU4241 Assessment and Program Evaluation
• EDU4472 Special Studies in Early Learning and Community Development I
• FLD4474 Field Placement III
• NAT4473 Outdoor Learning Environments
• QUA2001 Statistics for the Social Sciences

Level 09

• EDU4400 Global Perspectives of Pedagogy
• EDU4480 Special Studies and Research in Early Learning and Community Development II
• FAM4482 Leadership, Community Development, and Advocacy

Elective (Choose 2)

• CUL4000 Global Citizenship
• ENL4016 World Literature
• ENL4100 Creative Writing
• ENL4200 New Worlds and Alternative Realities: Speculative Fiction
• PHI4000 Philosophy and Popular Culture
• PHI4002 The Philosophy of Drugs
• PHI4003 The Philosophy of Love and Sex
• PHI4004 Technology, Society, and the Environment
• PHI4100 Survival in the Information Age: Risk and the Media
• PHY4000 Black Holes, Big Bangs, and the Cosmos
• SOC4000 Criminology
• SOC4001 Global Perspectives

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Contribute to early learning and community development for children and families using research and evidence-based practice from the fields of psychology, early learning, education, sociology, and social work
2. Communicate professionally, in all modalities to support children, their families, and their communities to document research findings and inform the public and profession
3. Use cross-cultural competencies and evidence-based practice to initiate and develop supportive, respectful, responsive, and professional relationships when working with children, families, and the broader community, including Indigenous peoples and Francophone culture
4. Develop inclusive curricula by using observation strategies and applying research and evidence-based practices in early learning and community development pedagogy
5. Design and deliver effective needs assessments, draft action plans, and implement and evaluate community-based early learning projects
6. Co-create and evaluate inclusive, equitable, safe, and healthy learning environments for children, families, and communities
7. Apply relevant legislation, regulations, standards, and the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs for children, families, and their communities
8. Identify and analyze local, national, and international standards, trends, and directions in the early learning profession to inform leadership practices
9. Coordinate, implement, and lead early learning services and community partners and stakeholders through the assessment and analysis of data on organizational structures and behaviors
10. Develop a personal philosophy of early learning and community development using methodologies of reflective practice and evidence-based theoretical perspectives
11. Apply a variety of leadership skills to work collaboratively with community partners and stakeholders, families, and children to advocate for quality early learning programs and services
12. Advocate for the importance of the natural environment in supporting the development of healthy communities for children and their families through the application of current research and knowledge
13. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship

Graduates of this program are eligible to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Graduates may find employment opportunities in community health agencies, Early ON centres, municipal and provincial government and non-government agencies, addressing needs of families, children, and their communities. Entrepreneurial opportunities (e.g. consulting, marketing of educational toys, etc.) are emerging.