波士顿大学

The goal of the Early Childhood Education program at Boston University is to prepare teachers dedicated to excellence in the field of early childhood education (Pre-K–2). Our students focus on the development and learning of young children in preschool, public school classrooms, and other appropriate settings in urban and suburban communities.

Professional coursework is concentrated on research and theories of child development and learning, and their implications for curriculum planning and instruction. Among the topics addressed are: The design of educational environments; The content and methodology related to mathematics, science, reading, social studies, and the arts; and The application and integration of knowledge and skills through fieldwork and the development of curriculum and learning materials.

Learning Outcomes

Early Childhood Education students will demonstrate their ability to promote the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives.

Early Childhood Education students will demonstrate their ability to promote the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency.

Early Childhood Education students will demonstrate their ability to promote the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.

Early Childhood Education students will demonstrate their ability to promote the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice.

Early Childhood Education students will demonstrate the Subject Matter knowledge necessary to teach young children.

There are two options in the degree program. One includes coursework that leads to a recommendation to the state for an initial teaching license in Early Childhood: Pre-K–2. Students who are not seeking an initial teaching license will take the course sequence described in the non-licensure program of study.

Upon acceptance into the program, you will be assigned an Early Childhood Education faculty member as an advisor. This assures that you receive individual, consistent, and informed advisement throughout your experience at Wheelock.

All students in the Early Childhood Education graduate programs complete one semester of fieldwork in the Early Childhood Learning Laboratory (ECLL). The ECLL is a laboratory and demonstration preschool affiliated with and located at the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. The school enrolls 20 children, ages 2.9–5, whose families live in the local neighborhood. The children are taught by licensed early childhood teachers.

The preschool program employs an innovative, inquiry-based approach to curriculum design. Teachers determine a topic of study that relates to the children’s interests. The concepts or big ideas of this topic are decided upon, and activities are designed to teach those concepts. Teachers continually monitor the children’s engagement in the activities, documenting their comments, questions, and interactions in order to make ongoing adjustments to the plan and the environment. You will work closely with the teachers, meeting and planning with them, and implementing their plans with their guidance and support.