Essential Information
Early childhood education focuses on the development, learning and unique needs of children ranging from infancy through elementary-age students. Distance learning bachelor's degrees are usually designed for individuals who already have associate's degrees and work experience in the field. Typical applicants include those who work as child care professionals in daycares, preschools and other educational environments.
Students can find courses fully online. Some programs may require an internship, fieldwork or practicum. A video camera may be required to complete certain class assignments.
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Students earning online bachelor's degrees in early childhood education focus on teaching methods specific to younger children. Because these programs are designed to prepare individuals for working with children, fieldwork is commonly required of on-campus and online students. Internships or practicums in approved early childhood settings are also usually required. Schools may help students arrange a suitable site or allow them to complete fieldwork at their current place of employment.
Information and Requirements
Within these programs, students learn through interactive video lectures, class message boards for group discussions and real-time tutorials with professors. Courses in online early childhood education degree programs are monitored by instructors who evaluate and grade students' performance. These degree completion programs should take about two to three years to finish.
Online students in this case may need to have access to a video camera in order to record their teaching methods for assessment by instructors. Some distance learning programs have students take examinations at approved testing sites as well.
Common Topics
A bachelor's degree in this major incorporates courses in curriculum development, education administration and professional ethics. Online undergraduate degrees in early childhood education can offer courses related to classroom technology and education statistics as well. Common course topics include the following:
- Youth development
- Math education for children
- School safety
- Technology for teachers
- Developing youth literacy
- Teaching children with special needs
- Youth psychology
- Children's nutrition
- Student assessment
Licensure
Those seeking work as preschool teachers in public schools must obtain state licensure and have a bachelor's degree; regulations vary by state, and prospective students should keep in mind that online degree programs may not be designed to fulfill licensure requirements. This is an important consideration which students should discuss directly with their chosen schools.
Online bachelor's degrees in early childhood education prepare students for successful work at childcare centers, daycare facilities and other educational settings babies and elementary-age children. These programs teach students about the various stages of educational development for children and their impact on learning.