Early Childhood Education / Educational Assistant

This course is an in-depth approach to educating students regarding varying forms of abuse that may be inflicted on children. Emotional, physical, sexual abuse and neglect is defined, discussed and symptoms are identified. Potential consequences and solutions are examined. Emphasis will be placed on describing the populations of children who are most at-risk of abuse and why adults choose to be abusive to children. Disclosure and response will be explored in detail.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the role of Early Learning Educators within the New Brunswick Curriculum Framework. Students explore key areas such as play, well-being, communication, diversity, and early literacy. Emphasis is placed on inclusive practices, creative expression, and reflective learning. Tools like pedagogical documentation and the Collaborative Assessment Tool (CAT) support observation and assessment. Students will gain the skills necessary to create inclusive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environments.

This course will introduce the student to a wide variety of applied behavioural techniques used to modify behaviour. The course will assist the student in observing behaviour in an objective and analytical manner. Classical and operant conditioning theories and procedures will be emphasized in a practical manner.

This course will allow students to develop the skills for direct intention when guiding young children as educators. Our students learn how to support children and create positive self-direction actions by using natural and reasonable expectations/consequences to lead them toward greater self-management. Prevention of unacceptable behaviour, reinforcement of prosocial behaviour, and methods of assisting children in attaining self-discipline will be examined. The impact of caregiving styles, discipline strategies, and classroom management will give students an appreciate of the role they play in appropriate guidance for young children.

The child development course will explore child-adolescent development focusing on developing an understanding of social, emotional, physical, cognitive, moral, sexual, and psychological growth through exploring widely accepted theories. Emphasis will also be placed on exceptionalities in development including at-risk and special needs circumstances.

The purpose of this course is to introduce and define components of varying abilities that educators in the field of ECE/EA may be required to work throughout their careers. Students will learn a wide variety of strategies and techniques used for providing an inclusive classroom in both early learning centers and school educational settings. This course will assist Oulton College’s educators to observe behaviour in an objective, caring, compassionate ways to ensure every child’s needs are meet.

This course will introduce students to the principles and practices of human relationships. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skills development as they begin to recognize the process of human interaction. Giving and receiving feedback, needs, assertiveness, self-esteem, and conflict resolution are among the topics covered. Focus will be placed on self-exploration and experiential learning.

This course will examine the various psychopathologies related to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical sensory functioning of children and youth. Each disorder will be explored in respect to symptoms, causes, maintaining variable, and treatment approaches through instructor-led lectures, case studies and student research papers. Discussions regarding the use of psychopharmacological treatments will be included.

This course provides students with the knowledge of the potential different forms of trauma, the symptoms and co-morbid disorders that present with children who have been through distressing events and the best practices to support these populations. Students will be given the current trends and practices to treat and build relationships with children and youth who have experienced complex trauma.

This course is designed to make the student aware of the business and legal requirements for licensed early learning centers in New Brunswick. Students will examine the NB provincial regulations for childcare settings, create detailed mock handbooks that include mission, inclusion, healthcare, and safety statements that align with NB policies. Our students will also understand the administrative practices that are necessary for successful childcare operations. They will explore the varying roles within NB centers to understand how they relate to their role as educators. Professional practice will also be outlined giving students the knowledge necessary to lobby for change in a vital and essential field.

This course will give direct experience to ECE/EA students on how to properly research topics, prepare workshops, lesson planning and how to effectively give presentations to a variety of audiences. The focus will be on facilitating a professional workshop, in a professional setting, to encourage engagement and full participation of peers in audience. This training is meant to gain real-life, hands-on experience to prepare our grads for the education field.

This course will examine the field of Early Childhood Education or Educational Assistant and observe current professionals, in either daycare settings or school settings, or both. Students will learn, through observation, how professionals facilitate activities, prepare program plans, conduct themselves professionally, and build rapport with children. Students will complete 36 hours of field observation to assist in skill development necessary for the field. They will document all their observations weekly, in a notebook or journal of their choosing, to be submitted to instructors at the end of the course. This is a pass/fail course, and as such, all elements must be submitted to complete this course.

The 8 week on the job training opportunity helps our students gain valuable hands-on experience directly in the field of education. To graduate from the Early Childhood Education / Educational Assistant Program, you must complete this practicum session.