2019 – 2020
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Preschool Specialization
Career Cluster:	Education & Training

CCC	
CIP Number	0419070908	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	12 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	25-2011 – Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS degree program (1413121004).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Education & Training career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Education & Training career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to prepare students as early childhood education caregivers with a preschool specialization or to provide supplementary training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

The content includes but is not limited to growth and development, early childhood education; establishing and maintaining a safe, clean, healthy, learning environment; guidance techniques and classroom management; communication; identification of child abuse and neglect; implementation of rules and regulations; nutrition; family interaction; legal and professional responsibilities; and employability skills.  Programs prepare individuals to assume major care giving and educational responsibilities within home or center-based programs for preschool children.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of health, safety and nutrition relative to preschoolers. 
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of a developmentally appropriate preschool environment.  
03.0	Demonstrate content knowledge in early childhood education for preschoolers.  
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development of the preschool age child.  
05.0	Demonstrate the importance of positive interactions with the family and community.
06.0	Demonstrate effective methods of establishing positive and open communication with the child’s family or primary caregiver.  

2019 – 2020
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Preschool Specialization	 
CIP Number:	0419070908	
Program Length:	12 credit hours	
SOC Code:	25-2011

This certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree AS degree program (1413121004). At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate knowledge of health, safety and nutrition relative to preschoolers. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify healthy and safe habits and potential hazards in a child development facility.	
01.02	Identify resources for certification in Pediatric First Aid and CPR.	
01.03	Identify accidents common to children and appropriate first aid techniques.	
01.04	Indicate major components in a safety plan (i.e. evacuation, fire and lockdown procedures, etc.).	
01.05	Identify developmentally appropriate safety activities (i.e., sleeping, transporting, eating, etc.).	
01.06	Recognize appropriate food preparation and nutrition education activities.	
01.07	Identify medication and allergic reactions and appropriate follow up.	
02.0	Demonstrate knowledge of a developmentally appropriate preschool environment.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify and plan key components for creating developmentally appropriate environments for preschoolers.	
03.0	Demonstrate content knowledge in early childhood education for preschoolers.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify and describe the principles of evidence-based models of preschool education.	
03.02	Develop plans to meet short and long term developmental goals.	
03.03	Identify and use developmentally appropriate and inclusive teaching techniques to support various learning preferences, temperament and abilities.	
03.04	Arrange learning environments for a variety of activities using developmentally appropriate materials across the curriculum. 	
03.05	Discuss the importance of play in learning and development. 	
03.06	Identify and implement responsive teacher-child interactions.	
03.07	Recognize the importance of spontaneity, flexibility and open-ended materials.	
03.08	Recognize the importance of representational play.	
03.09	Collect, analyze and use data to inform practice.	
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of child growth and development of the preschool age child.  The student will be able to:	
04.01	Engage in developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive interactions that support the development of communication skills.	
04.02	Identify strategies to support preschoolers through periods of stress, separation, transition, trauma, etc. through the use of appropriate comforting techniques.	
04.03	Demonstrate knowledge of attachment strategies and its importance in social and emotional development.	
04.04	Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles related to child growth and development for preschoolers. 	
04.05	Plan developmentally appropriate activities that promote physical development for preschoolers. 	
04.06	Plan developmentally appropriate activities that promote cognitive development through math, science, social science and arts for preschoolers. 	
04.07	Plan developmentally appropriate activities that promote creativity through music, movement, dramatic play and art for preschoolers.	
04.08	Plan developmentally appropriate activities that promote language and literacy development through for preschoolers.	
04.09	Identify and demonstrate developmentally appropriate classroom management strategies (e.g.:  predictable routines, scheduling, transitions, and learning environment, etc.).	
04.10	Identify and demonstrate evidence based techniques (i.e.: positive guidance) that foster the development of age-appropriate self-regulation. 	
05.0	Demonstrate the importance of positive interactions with the family and community. The student will be able to:	
05.01	Recognize the value of positive interaction with the child’s family or primary caregiver.	
05.02	Describe the forces which have an impact on the lives of children and families (e.g. social-emotional, economic, environment, linguistic, etc.).	
05.03	Model respect for diverse family structures and their communities through culturally responsive practices. 	
05.04	Identify culturally responsive methods for empowering families in their roles as advocates for their children.	
05.05	Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles related to child growth and development.	
05.06	Identify various influences on the development of a child from three to five years.	
05.07	Guide the physical development of three, four and five-year-old Preschool children by planning and implanting developmentally appropriate activities that promote fine and gross motor development.	
05.08	Guide the cognitive, language and literacy development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children by planning and Identify and planning developmentally appropriate activities in the areas of math, science, social science, language and literacy.	
05.09	Guide the creative development of three, four, and five-year-old Preschool children by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities in the areas of music, art, dramatic play and creative movement.	
05.10	Guide the social and affective development of three, four, and five-year-old preschool children by planning and implanting activities that help develop interpersonal skills, positive self-esteem and promote multicultural understanding.	
05.11	Demonstrate age appropriate methods of guiding behavior in three, four and five-year-old preschool children.	
05.12	Select developmentally appropriate equipment and materials that will promote child growth and development.	
05.13	Observe and collect data on physical, cognitive, creative and social/emotional development.	
05.14	Demonstrate knowledge of an inclusive environment.	
05.15	Demonstrate knowledge of unbiased practices.	
06.0	Demonstrate effective methods of establishing positive and open communication with the child’s family or primary caregiver.  The student will be able to:	
06.01	Initiate and facilitate positive interaction with the child’s family or primary caregiver.	
06.02	Demonstrate knowledge of the social, economic, cultural and political forces that have an impact on the lives of children and families.	
06.03	Identify and plan parent involvement activities.	
06.04	Demonstrate interpersonal skills.	
06.05	Share information about child development and developmentally appropriate practices.	
06.06	Demonstrate positive and productive staff and parent interactions.	
06.07	Identify methods for empowering families in their roles as advocates for their children.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

The student must successfully complete the four required courses in this area of specialization.

Students will be encouraged to participate in organizations and associated activities which are consistent with their professional goals.  These include but are not limited to Early Childhood Association of Florida (ECAF), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml.