Program Highlights
As an ECE student, you will learn the skills necessary to make a positive difference in the lives of young children, their families, and society as a whole. Your classes will prepare you to assess children’s unique needs and design and implement developmentally appropriate practices to help them thrive. You will gain hands-on experience through observation and interaction at our Child Development Lab located on campus.
Practicum Information
CHLD 201 focuses on the application of evidence-based knowledge, skills, and dispositions within early childhood settings. Students work with young children and families in high-quality, culturally, linguistically, and ability-diverse environments under the supervision of a site supervisor and a college coursework supervisor.
This 3-credit-hour course requires six hours of lab/practicum work each week, in addition to a one-hour weekly seminar. Students must provide documentation meeting all State of Illinois requirements, including health requirements (TB test, DCFS Health Form) and criminal background checks, before and throughout practicum placement.
The practicum is an exciting part of your journey where you apply what you have learned in support of young children and their families. You are expected to document six hours per week with two different early childhood age groups (birth to age 3, preschool, or kindergarten through 2nd grade). The experience is split into two segments—each focusing on a different age group—to help you build knowledge of classroom environments, children, and families while developing your teaching skills and confidence.
CHLD 206 is similar to CHLD 201 in format; however, the content focuses on infants and toddlers.
You may complete your practicum at your place of employment; however, the experience must demonstrate meaningful growth and application of course material. If completed in your current workplace, you will be required to document progress through journaling and evaluations by both site and course supervisors.
Need assistance securing a practicum placement? Please contact Johnna Darragh Ernst at johnna.darragh@heartland.edu.
