Syllabus - University of Florida Family Youth and Community Sciences

FYC4905: Early Childhood DevelopmentSection: 4084Instructor: Kate H. Fletcher, M.S.Meeting Times: MWF 4 th period (10:40-11:30)Class Locations: Little 0113Office Phone: 352.273.3517Office: 3038 McCarty DOffice Hours: T’s only 9:35-11:30am, 1:55-2:45pmEmail: via Sakai ONLY to Fletcher, KathleenPrereq: FYC 3001TEACHING PHILOSOPHYMy teaching philosophy is based on engaging my students to be active learners and critical thinkers. Withthat in mind, it is my role to facilitate an active learning environment where students can participate, beengaged, and use complex critical thinking skills in a variety of ways to appeal to the various learningstyles. I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged in their own learning and the resultsare that they are more receptive, more responsible, and typically have a better grasp of the material.Therefore, as a lecturer in the FYCS department I believe it is important to create a learning environmentconducive to active learning.My teaching goals include:1. Teach the fundamentals of FYCS,2. Discover what students are most passionate about,3. Get to know my students beyond being a face in my classroom,4. Prepare students to function effectively both in the classroom and in the real world,5. Facilitate the acquisition of life-long learning skills,6. Develop problem solving strategies, and7. Foster critical thinking.TEXTBOOKBerk, L.E., (2008). Infants and children: Prenatal through middle childhood (7 th ed.). Boston: Allyn &Bacon. (This textbook is on reserve at Library West) - Be sure to purchase the $25 virtual child accesscode.SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS: Posted on Sakai.COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course provides a framework of child development (prenatal development through 6 years of age)principles utilizing an ecological model. Major theories relevant to domains of development are discussed.Then, major physical, cognitive, social and emotional changes experienced by prenatal through earlychildhood development are explored. Child development principles in context of the individual, family,community and society are emphasized and discussed in detail throughout the course.COURSE OBJECTIVESThis course provides a framework in child development for a greater understanding of the differentdomains of development, including social/emotional, cognitive, and physical, which are identified,explored and discussed. After completing this course you will be able to:1. Describe the major milestones and changes in physical, cognitive, social and emotional developmentthat occur in prenatal through middle childhood.2. Identify and apply major theories and research that help us understand and explain developmentthroughout this period.

3. Observe and assess common issues associated throughout this period of development with attention tothe issues that hinder or foster healthy development; apply principles of development in an ecologicalcontext when addressing these issues.4. To think critically about issues affecting child development as they impact your life now and in yourfuture roles as a family member, citizen, and professional.5. To think critically about issues affecting parents at each domain of development (physical, cognitiveand social/emotional) and period of development (prenatal through early childhood) and to discussdevelopmentally appropriate practice for parents for each domain and period of development.6. Facilitate learning through class discussion, collaboration and group work.COURSE EXPECTATIONSThis is an interactive class with a high level of student engagement. It should be fun and enjoyable. Tomake the most out of it, attendance is mandatory but not recorded and your participation in class is a must.This course will be useful for your future academic, personal, and career success.E-MAIL & WEB ACCESS REQUIREMENTEMAIL via Sakai ONLY.All students are required to have a UF e-mail account and to be able to access Sakai. You will beresponsible for checking the FYC 4905 Sakai site at least three times a week for course calendar updates,lecture notes, discussion assignments, e-mail, and posted announcements. If you are experiencing problemswith Sakai, call (352) 392-4357 - select appropriate option. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CONTACTINGYOUR INSTRUCTOR if you are having problems with Sakai. Students are responsible for getting lecturenotes online via Sakai before class.GRADES: Grades will be based on the following criteria:Assessments/Assignments: Points Possible:GTKY15 PointsBaby Gator Experience25 PointsVirtual Child Experience25 PointsReflection50 PointsParticipation35 PointsExam 1100 PointsExam 2100 PointsExam 3100 PointsTOTAL POINTS450 PointsGRADING SCALE: Grades in this class will be based on the following scale:93-100% A90-92% A-87-89% B+83-86% B80-82% B-77-79% C+73-76% C70-72% C-67-69% D+63-66% D60-62% D-0-59% EGrading Policies: For information on current UF grading policies for assigning grade points see theundergraduate catalog web page: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html.OFFICE HOURS

I have scheduled office hours; if those do not work for you/your schedule please make an appointment withme; you may contact me via Facebook or Twitter or Sakai email.MAKE-UP POLICY• If Participation points/assignments were taken/offered on a day you missed due to an extenuatingcircumstance, one that is beyond your control such as a University of Florida sponsored event, sickness,death or accident, NO make-up assignment will be provided, however, you MUST submit documentationfor your absence so that it will NOT count against you.• You are responsible for the material you missed – connect/network/Facebook with your classmates toget notes, study together, etc - DO NOT contact me, Kate H. Fletcher M.S., for this material.• There is NO make-up for the exam 3. You MUST be available to take it during our scheduled finalexam time, if you fail to show & have NO documentation for your no-show, then you will receive a zero onexam 3.• Late Assignments & Make-up Assignments/Exams: All late assignments will be penalized 5 Pointsfor each business day late. This penalty starts the minute after the assignment was due by 5:01pm. It is thestudent’s responsibility to ensure that the instructor receives assignments by the time described on eachassignment. Make-up assignments will be accepted only when a student has an excused absence as definedin the University Catalog and written documentation. Following excused absence students may turn in latework without penalty within 3 business days of the absence. In the case of an exam, students with excusedabsence will be provided makeup opportunity at mutually agreeable time slots, with the exception of theexam 3.GTKY – 15 Points• You’ll find the instructions and the assignment posted in Sakai in Resources. Please submit it in hardcopy format in class on or before the due date – please see the syllabus in Sakai for the due date.• This assignment requires 3 different parts to the assignment: 1. Answer the GTKY questions directlyon the paper, 2. Attach a recent picture of yourself to the GTKY questions, 3. Upload a recent picture ofyourself to Profile located in My Workspace in Sakai.BABY GATOR EXPERIENCE – 25 Points• You will complete 1, 2-hour site visit to Baby Gator (BG) (Newell and/or Lake Alice-Village Drivelocations) during the semester.• You will be debriefed in class by a Baby Gator Staffer and will be able to sign up for your site visitstoo. If you miss that day it is YOUR responsibility to sign up for your time to observe the children. You areresponsible for coming to me to sign up for a time slot. This observation is critical to your Reflectionassignment.VIRTUAL CHILD EXPERIENCE – 25 Points• The Virtual Child (VC) experience may be purchased & accessed at myvitualchild.com ($25)• You must purchase the access code & then register with myvirtualchild.com on or before due date(see the course calendar). The Class ID: will be posted in Sakai in Announcements after drop/add hasended.• Please take the personality test first and then name your child. (We’ll discuss the name of your childin class too, so be prepared).• Please be mindful to monitor your child as we progress through the semester via the correspondingchapters in the book (see the due dates in the course calendar).REFLECTION – 50 Points• This assignment will serve as an opportunity for you to reflect on both your BG experience & your VCexperience.• There are specific questions you are required to answer, the final paper will be submitted via hardcopyin class or by 5pm – please see calendar for the specific due date. This assignment will comply with ALLAPA 6 th edition styling requirements and will be written in 3 rd person “telling a story of your experiences”.PARTICIPATION– 35 Points

• Students are expected to demonstrate their preparation for class and their understanding of coursematerial through active participation in class on a daily basis. Students are expected to respond to oralquestioning related to discussion topics. If you’ve taken a class with me before you know how I conductmy lectures – there are many discussions and participation from all is not only encouraged but alsoappreciated. A total of 35 points (not to exceed a total of 35 points) will be awarded for quizzes, reactionpapers, class activities, and participation (up to 5 points each). Pop quizzes will be based upon the readingsfor that day and will be administered or be due respectively at the beginning of class (first 5-minutes).Reaction papers will be based upon the videos I assign in class or take home. If you miss the quiz or fail toturn the reaction papers in on time, there are no make-ups. NO EXCEPTIONS. There will be at least 12opportunities made available to you (up to 5 points each) throughout the semester. You may drop yourlowest two scores if you are in class for each opportunity. Quizzes may also be administered at the end ofclass following a lecture, speaker, presentation, class activity, or class discussion. Extra credit opportunitiesmay also be awarded at the discretion of the instructor.EXAMS 1, 2 & 3 – 100 points each or 300 points total• Each exam will include materials that pertains to that specific section of the semester (Ch’s 1-4, Ch’s5-7, & Ch’s 8-10). The exams are not comprehensive. Multiple choice, definition, short answer, or essayformattedquestions may be employed. Exams are worth 100 points each. Make-up exams will not beadministered without valid documentation so my encouragement to you is don’t miss any of the exams.EXTRA CREDIT – (not to exceed a total 15 Points)• You may make an appointment with me during the 1 st 4 weeks of classes during my office hours for 5points extra credit. This appointment will allow me to GTKY better. Please sign-up for a time slot, whichwill be made available during the first 2 weeks of class. If you sign-up show up!!!ACADEMIC HONESTY, SOFTWARE USE, UF COUNSELING SERVICES, SERVICES FORSTUDENTS WITH DISABILITIESIn 1995 the UF student body enacted a new honor code and voluntarily committed itself to the higheststandards of honesty and integrity. When students enroll at the university, they commit themselves to thestandard drafted and enacted by students.In adopting this honor code, the students of the University of Florida recognize that academic honesty andintegrity are fundamental values of the university community. Students who enroll at the university committo holding themselves and their peers to the high standard of honor required by the honor code. Anyindividual who becomes aware of a violation of the honor code is bound by honor to take corrective action.The quality of a University of Florida education is dependent upon community acceptance and enforcementof the honor code.THE HONOR PLEDGE: WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDACOMMUNITY, PLEDGE TO HOLD OURSELVES AND OUR PEERS TO THE HIGHESTSTANDARDS OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.

Week Chapter/Topic Assignment/Exam Virtual ChildJanuary 7 – 11 Intro to course& Begin Ch 1Review Syllabus &Read Ch 11/11 = Drop/Addends @11:59pmJanuary 14 – 18 Ch 1 & Ghost in YourGenesJanuary 21 – 25Ch 2 & Journey IntoLifeRead Ch 21/23 = GTKY due by5pmJanuary 28 – Feb 1 Ch 3 Read Ch 32/1 = Register yourVC Access Code &take the personalitytestFebruary 4 – 8 Ch 3 &Business of Being BornFebruary 11 – 15 Ch 4 Read Ch 4 2/11 = “Birth” VCFebruary 18 – 22 Ch 5 2/18 = Exam 1 (Ch’s1-4)Read Ch 5February 25 – March Ch 51March 4 – 8SPRING BREAKMarch 11 – 15 Ch 6 Read Ch 6 3/15 = VC is 24 mo’sold (2 yrs)March 18 – 22 Ch 7 Read Ch 7March 25 – 29 Ch 8 3/25 = Exam 2 (Ch’s5-7)Reach Ch 8April 1 – 5 Ch 8 4/1 = Reflection dueby 5pmApril 8 – 12 Ch 9April 15 – 19 Ch 10April 22 – 24 Ch 10 4/24 = VC is 72 mo’sold (6 yrs)May 1 st 3-5pm Little 113 5/1 = Exam 3 (Ch’s8-10)