Early Childhood Field Experience supports students as they progress from introductory observation and guided practice to increasingly independent teaching and leadership in early childhood settings serving children from birth through age eight. Topics include the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, the teaching cycle, developmentally appropriate and play-based learning experiences, caregiving routines, licensing regulations and professional standards, observation and assessment, positive guidance, inclusive and anti-bias practices, learning environments, relationships with children and families, professional ethics, reflective practice, and career development. Through supervised field experiences, students apply classroom knowledge in authentic early childhood environments, gradually assume greater responsibility for planning and implementing curriculum, assess children’s growth and development, collaborate with families and professionals, and ultimately practice the lead-teacher role by designing, implementing, and evaluating connected learning experiences.

Competency 1: Apply the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards and teaching cycle to early childhood practice

Learning Objectives:

Identify the purpose, design, guiding principles, and organizational components of the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS)
Apply the teaching cycle of assessment, planning and curriculum goals, and implementation
Connect learning goals and experiences to the WMELS framework
Use developmentally appropriate practice when planning for children
Reflect on the use of WMELS and the teaching cycle within early childhood settings

Competency 2: Design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences through play

Learning Objectives:

Plan learning experiences that are relevant, meaningful, and appropriately challenging
Develop learning experiences that are developmentally, culturally, linguistically, age, and individually appropriate
Incorporate play-based learning into curriculum planning
Develop effective transitions within learning experiences and daily schedules
Implement learning experiences based on identified learning objectives
Reflect on the implementation and effectiveness of learning experiences
Design and implement connected learning experiences as part of an interdisciplinary unit

Competency 3: Incorporate developmentally appropriate caregiving routines

Learning Objectives:

Observe and describe established caregiving routines
Apply licensing requirements and developmentally appropriate practices to caregiving routines
Adapt caregiving routines to meet individual children’s needs
Analyze routines to meet individual and group needs
Assume increasing responsibility for managing caregiving routines

Competency 4: Apply governmental regulations and professional standards in early childhood settings

Learning Objectives:

Identify and apply Wisconsin child care licensing regulations
Examine how licensing requirements are implemented within early childhood settings
Examine professional standards such as WMELS, YoungStar, and NAEYC
Apply regulatory and professional standards to early childhood practice
Evaluate how standards contribute to quality early childhood education

Competency 5: Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practice

Learning Objectives:

Apply the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
Follow college and field experience expectations
Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors and core abilities
Use reflective practice to evaluate personal and professional growth
Analyze classroom situations using professional and ethical standards
Establish goals for continued professional development

Competency 6: Foster positive relationships with children, families, and other professionals

Learning Objectives:

Develop respectful and responsive relationships with children and

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WisTech Fusion

WisTech Fusion is a new tool that’s designed to help with one of the biggest challenges in OER—creating all the “extras” that usually come with a traditional textbook.

With Fusion, you can generate things like:

Quizzes and assessments
Slide decks
Study guides
Worksheets
Case studies

Instead of building these from the ground up, Fusion gives you a starting point that you can edit and adapt for your course.

· Explore WisTech Fusion

To help keep print textbook costs low for our students, please consider using the electronic version, or purchasing a personal print copy, rather than requesting a publisher/desktop version from our printing partner. Orders can be placed through Kendall Hunt:

orders@kendallhunt.com.