Creativity & Cognition in Young Children

CREATIVITY & COGNITION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

FCS 5170, Mondays 4:35-7:05 pm

Spring 2006

Instructors: Kris Hale, Director, University Child Care Coordinating Office

(w) 585-05897

Office: 316 Union - Office hrs. by appointment

Mary Ogan, Head Start Manager for SLCAP

(w) 977-1122
Office hrs. by appointment

Texts: McAfee & Leong, (2002) Assessing and Guiding Young Children's • Development and Learning. A Pearson Education Company. National Association For the Education of Young Children; Spotlight Curriculum Set, 1) Spotlight on Young Children and Science, 2) Spotlight on Young Children and Math,3) Spotlight on young Children and Language, 4) Spotlight on Young Children and Creativity Koralek, & Colker, eds.

Overview: This class is designed to examine the early learning environments of young children. Topics to be explored include but are not limited to; multiple intelligences, assessment, observation, family influences, and appropriate teaching practices. The discussions will focus on theory, research, and practice concerning creative and cognitive development in young children.

Requirements: Grades will be assigned on the following basis:

1. Class participation and attendance 140 pts

2. Midterm (take home) 50 pts

3. Program Visit/Child Study 100 pts

4. Creative Project 50 pts

5. Group Presentations 30 pts
(team score 10, presentation 20)

6. Final Evaluation (Comprehensive) 100 pts

470 pts

Class Schedule-Spring 2006

Creativity and Cognition in Young Children (FCS 5170)

Class Instructor Topic Reading

1/9 Kris/Mary Introduction Buy books
Assessment: A Work in Progress

1 / 16 Holiday

1/23 Kris Viewing the Whole Child Assessing & Guiding
The What, Why, and When of Assessment Chapters 1-5
Student Contracts due

1/30 Mary Background: Development and Learning Article online
Content, Nature vs Nurture

2/6 Kris Background: Learning Styles, Chapter 6,7,8
Multiple Intelligences

2/13 Mary Authentic Assessment Techniques Chapter 10,11,12
Midterm assessment handed out

2/20 Holiday

2/27 Mary Teaching Strategies that Support Article online
Creative Growth and Development
Midterm Assessment Due

3/6 Kris Parents and Teachers: Enhancing Creative Article online
and Cognitive Growth

3/13 Spring Break

3/20 Mary Influences of Culture Article online

3/27 Mary From Language to Literacy Young Children & Language

4/3 Kris Foundations for Science and Math Young Children & Math

Young Children & Science

4/10 Kris Creative Arts Young Children & Creative

Arts

4/17 Mary Creating Optimal Learning Environments Article online

4/24 Kris & Mary Optimal Learning Group Presentations

Creative Project Options due

4/27 Program Visit or Child Study due

5/1 Kris Final Exam