Early Childhood Social Studies Standards

• Identify the National Council for the Social Studies’ ten thematic standards.
• Examine the National Council for the Social Studies five disciplinary standards.
• Examine the expectations of the National Association for the Education of Young Children for early childhood social studies education.
• Examine state social studies standards for early childhood.
• Analyze strategies to integrate the National Council for the Social Studies thematic standards in early childhood curriculum.
• Demonstrate pedagogical strategies that integrate national or state social studies standards across early childhood curriculum.

Developmental Considerations

• Examine significant theoretical perspectives in early childhood social studies instruction.
• Identify developmentally effective practices for teaching social studies concepts.

Early Childhood Instructional Methods and Strategies

• Describe effective instructional methods for teaching social studies in early childhood learning environments.
• Examine global connections and awareness in early childhood education.
• Design activities which reflect an understanding of and appreciation for multicultural perspectives in the early childhood learning environment.
• Develop differentiated instructional techniques to address special populations in early childhood social studies instruction.

Integrating Technology in Early Childhood Social Studies Education

• Analyze criteria for the selection of developmentally effective media and technology.
• Identify social studies Web sites appropriate for the teacher, the young child, and the family.
• Examine the appropriate use of technology for teaching social studies in early childhood.
• Examine ways to integrate technology in the early childhood social studies curriculum.

Assessment in Early Childhood Education

• Examine a variety of developmentally effective formal and informal early childhood assessment strategies.
• Design developmentally effective social studies assessment tools.
• Analyze results of early childhood assessments to plan for individuals, groups, and diverse learners.
• Examine technology resources for effective assessment and evaluation strategies in the early childhood setting.