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Early childhood is a time when amazing development occurs across cognitive, linguistic, social-emotional, physical and health domains. Early childhood educators play a critical role in fostering optimal developmental outcomes for young children during this important period.
Elon’s early childhood education major offers a course of study focusing on:
Merging general and special education, this major equips graduates to work with a wide range of children and to relate to families in a culturally competent manner. The early childhood education major meets the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s (NCDPI) Teacher Education Specialty Area Standards for Birth-Kindergarten (NCBK) Teacher Candidates. Students graduating with this major will be eligible to apply for and receive NCBK licensure from the NCDPI.
"From the moment of conception to the initial, tentative step into a kindergarten classroom, early childhood development takes place at a rate that exceeds any other stage of life. The capacity to learn and absorb is simply astonishing in these first years."
National Research Council & Institute of Medicine (2000), From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development
The early childhood education major is constructed so that teacher candidates gradually take on greater responsibility for designing learning environments for young children, interacting with families and colleagues, and taking on the role of professional educator.
The program of study begins with courses on early childhood development, math and science knowledge of the early childhood educator, and the role of educational research. Teacher candidates are involved early in practicum experiences where they make connections with coursework on assessment and evidence-based practices in early childhood. As the program progresses, candidates gain deep content knowledge in early language and literacy development, family-team partnerships, early emotional and social development and early intervention/early childhood special education. A full semester is dedicated to student teaching in an early childhood setting.
At Elon, you will study and engage in practical experiences alongside expert faculty who are committed to excellence and advocacy in the field of early childhood. Early childhood education majors enjoy small classes that allow for close working relationships with faculty members. Elon welcomes opportunities for candidates to engage in research activities with faculty mentoring.
Early childhood education majors will be qualified and licensed to teach in preschools, kindergarten classrooms, day care centers and Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Graduates will be prepared to work in inclusive settings enrolling both children with and without disabilities or delays. Additional professional career paths available to graduates include, child care center director, early childhood special education teacher, educational consultant, lobbyist (advocating for young children) or children’s museum project coordinator.
Graduates of the program may also choose to pursue graduate degrees in education or related fields such as speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy and others.
