Early Childhood Studies
- CLD 101 - Human Development ICourse DescriptionThis foundation course examines the major theories and contemporary research findings of human development and provides a sound basis for the students' understanding of children and self. Emphasis is on the interdependency of all domains of development - physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional and the complex interaction of biological and environmental factors. Such development is considered in terms of adaptation to the diverse environments in which human beings live and focuses on children from birth through toddler-hood.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 102 - Observation/ELCCourse DescriptionIn this course students develop expertise in using effective methods for observing, recording and analyzing children's behaviour and development. Students have the opportunity to practice a variety of observation methodologies and to discuss topics related to observer bias, subjectivity and objectivity, and making references. They also undertake participant and non-participant observation in the Early Learning Centre to introduce them to the rhythms and demands of child-care.Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Corequisites:CLD 101
- CLD 103 - Human Development IICourse DescriptionThis course builds on the student's understanding of the major theories and contemporary research findings of human development and the mutual influence of biological, psychological and social factors within a given environment. The contexts of development are emphasized for children from preschool through adolescence.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 101
- CLD 111 - Curriculum I: EnvironmentsCourse DescriptionThrough examining theories and curriculum resources, and partaking in fieldwork, students investigate how classroom and community environments influence young children’s play and learning. Children’s perspectives of everyday places are emphasized, illustrating how children can co-participate in designing and evaluating learning environments. Students consider how children develop; experience agency, competence, inequities, and histories; and engage with 21st-century concerns as they explore different environments.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 161 - Field Education ICourse DescriptionStudents will apply observation skills, knowledge of children and families, and curricula in early childhood education and care sites. Settings include the Toronto Metropolitan University Early Learning Centre, and off-campus early childhood care and education centres. Students will actively work with children birth to 5. Bi-weekly seminars support the placement experience. Discussions include nurturing positive relationships with children and families, planning and implementing curricula, and working collaboratively with the educator team. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 102
- CLD 204 - Physical DevelopmentCourse DescriptionThis course will explore physical development from conception to the middle childhood years. Theories, models and current research in the interrelated areas of physical activity, social determinants of health, and nutrition are examined. Students will investigate the mind-body connection, the use of movement as an educational and therapeutic tool and explore ways to plan and implement rich and appropriate indoor and outdoor movement programs and activities for young children.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 205 - Children's Social/Emotional Well-BeingCourse DescriptionSocial and emotional aspects of children's well-being are explored through critical analysis of theories and research on the topics of attachment, temperament, aggression, gender identity, dimensions of parenting, and self and social cognition. The course takes into account contemporary theories of childhood that acknowledge children's role in shaping their well-being while confronting a variety of environmental stresses (e.g. bullying, abuse, family conflict). Students learn strategies deemed to support children's positive well-being and adaptation to life's challenges.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 206 - Language DevelopmentCourse DescriptionThe course explores the nature of language development in children. Biological endowment and environmental factors are considered. Language acquisition from fetal sound sensitivity to language behaviours of school-age children is investigated. Acquisition of the subsystems of language along with bilingualism and minority language contexts are explored. Stages in child language are identified and theories and current research on child language are examined. Students are introduced to methodologies, tools and strategies of child language research. Opportunity is provided for the collection and analysis of language data.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 212 - Curriculum II: Program PlanningCourse DescriptionThis course builds on the theoretical and design principles of Curriculum I. Students critically examine Ontario's early learning curriculum framework as well as traditional and current early childhood pedagogies. Each pedagogy is examined for its approach to the child as a learner, educator practices, family-educator relationships, learning environments and issues of social justice in early childhood settings. Ways in which early childhood pedagogies are evaluated and educators make changes to their practices will be explored.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 111
- CLD 213 - History and Philosophy of ECECourse DescriptionThis course introduces students to the historical, theoretical and philosophical antecedents of the early childhood education profession. An examination of values and practices related to the nurturing and education of young children from ancient times to the present, including a study of the key philosophers, the history of childhood, and views of children through the centuries, are compared to the values and practices found today in North America and throughout the world. Students articulate an informed philosophy of early childhood education as a concrete outcome of this course.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Antirequisites:ECE 446
- CLD 215 - Creative Arts ICourse DescriptionPrevious courses in curriculum, program planning and child development provide the foundation for this course that emphasizes strategies, methods and activities for young children that nurture and promote creative expression in the visual arts. Current theories for visual arts education, the artistic development of young children, and historical and artistic traditions from diverse societies are explored. Programs are critically analyzed along a number of dimensions to develop a philosophy and approach to visual arts education.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 212
- CLD 231 - Families in Canadian Context ICourse DescriptionThis course provides students with a foundation in the theoretical frameworks used to study families. Through an intersectional framing, the topics include historical and current perspectives on families, engaging with families, conflict resolution, and the diverse family forms through Canadian research such as Black and Indigenous families, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Two Spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) families, Disabled families, Separation and Divorce, Marriage and Death Rituals, Violence, and Poverty.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 241 - Children with DisabilitiesCourse DescriptionThis course is an introduction to early intervention and education of young children with disabilities and those at risk for development delay. Strategies for adapting curriculum and the learning environment to promote the healthy growth, development and learning of children with specific disabilities are discussed. Foundation topics include historical perspectives, current legislation, early identification, positive behavioural supports, inclusion, and family-centred approaches.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 103 or enrolled in Disability Studies
- CLD 251 - Interpersonal CommunicationCourse DescriptionThis course supports students in developing their professional, interpersonal and communicative interactive skills. The process of communication, as well as how one's emotions, values, experiences, perceptions and self-concept affect professional behaviour are discussed. Topics include interviewing skills, ethical behaviour, leadership and advocacy as an early childhood practitioner. Models of effective small group and team collaborations are examined and applied in a laboratory setting. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 262 - Field Education IICourse DescriptionStudents will increase their knowledge and skills in settings that include EarlyON Family and Community Centres, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada programs, and the Toronto Metropolitan University Early Learning Centre. The bi-weekly seminar supports the students' placement experiences. Seminar discussions will focus on developing supportive relationships with families and their young children based on family support principles, planning and implementing early learning experiences, and collaborating with the educator team. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Corequisites:CLD 231
- CLD 307 - Children's Thinking and LearningCourse DescriptionThis course explores the development of young children’s thinking and learning through a cross-cultural lens. Critical discussion of the Western value of cognition and its theoretical assumptions will provide students with an understanding of how these values are embedded in early learning. This course will then provide multiple perspectives on thinking and learning (colonial models, apprenticeship models, indigenous models) as they are conceptualized across cultures and as they relate to professional roles with children.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 314 - Literacy in the Early YearsCourse DescriptionThis course examines literacy learning for children birth through 8 years in the context of equity, social justice and diversity. Students examine theoretical foundations of early literacy learning including: ways to develop oral and print literacy, family literacy practices, home languages, book genres, approaches to teaching and learning and strategies for critical literacy. Concepts of multimodalities and multiple literacies are explored to broaden the notion of what is literacy in the 21st century.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 315 - Creative Arts IICourse DescriptionThis course focuses on critical and reflective approaches to developing music, movement, and drama learning opportunities for young children in a context of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The course takes a hands-on, inquiry-based, experiential approach to creative arts, with the expectation that students will engage in learning as a creative exploration of lived experience in relation to the creative arts.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 317 - Concept Development in MathCourse DescriptionStudents examine how young children ages birth to 8 understand and engage in mathematical knowledge, concepts and processes. Students explore and critique different theories of mathematical approaches to learning, such as inquiry-based models. Experiences designing and teaching lessons, creating physical and social environments to promote mathematical thinking, and assessing children's' knowledge and skills encourage positive attitudes toward mathematics in the learning environment.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 322 - Research I: MethodsCourse DescriptionThis course provides students with an understanding of scientific research methods as they relate to the field of early childhood education. The course examines a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodologies and covers the various components of research from the formulation of research questions to the analysis and interpretation of data.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 323 - Research II: ApplicationsCourse DescriptionThis course extends and applies the materials covered in Research I. Students formulate, carry out, write up, and present a research project of their own design in the field of early childhood education. Students also have the opportunity to analyze and critique each other's projects and to evaluate a variety of research approaches.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 332 - Families in Canadian Context IICourse DescriptionThis course introduces students to some of the issues facing newcomer, Indigenous, and racialized families in Canada. It recognizes and names the individual and systemic biases that disadvantage certain children and families and it identifies how students of early childhood studies can contribute to building more respectful, inclusive communities. This course situates anti-racist, anti-bias approaches and respect for human rights as the foundation for professional practice. The features of promising programs are identified.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 342 - Assessment for ProgrammingCourse DescriptionThis course examines approaches to assessment and evaluation of children's development with attention to children with disabilities and children-at-risk, from birth to eight years. Students use formal and informal screening and assessment tools to develop individualized programming for young children, to address a range of developmental needs in a variety of early childhood settings. A conceptual framework for assessment and programming skills in designing an individual program plan are concrete outcomes of this course.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 363 - Field Education IIICourse DescriptionStudents continue to apply their knowledge and skills with children who may have identified disabilities, or for whom the program requires accommodations and/or modifications. Placements include settings with a focus on inclusive practice, such as the Toronto Metropolitan University Early Learning Centre, the Gerrard Resource Centre, primary classrooms, and specialized programs. Bi-weekly seminars support the placement experience. Discussions focus on inclusive practice, planning and implementing responsive learning activities, developing supportive relationships, and collaboration with the educator team. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Corequisites:CLD 342
- CLD 415 - Concept Development in ScienceCourse DescriptionThis course employs a project-based approach to the exploration of how young children develop skills and concepts in science. Students learn about scientific thinking, how to encourage science exploration, and how to support children's scientific inquiry from various perspectives, including Aboriginal, constructivist, reconceptualist, and the Reggio Emilia approach. Students will learn about design and creation of learning environments, projects and assessment tools that advance children's knowledge and skills development.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 212 or Direct Entry
- CLD 419 - Children and TechnologyCourse DescriptionThis course explores forms of knowledge media in children's lives and learning environments. Students will critically examine the use and misuse of digital technologies in teaching and learning, develop a working knowledge of online learning technologies, and acquire techniques for assessing various forms of knowledge media intended for early-years educators and children from infancy to age eight. The course will engage students in rethinking technology in relation to teaching and learning with young children.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 212 or Direct Entry
- CLD 420 - Children and NatureCourse DescriptionThis course explores the significance of the relationship of the child to the natural world and introduces students to a pedagogical approach which involves environmental inquiry. Course content includes historical and cross-cultural overviews of our relationship to nature; the psychological significance of nature; the impact of exposure to the natural environment on children's values, attitudes, learning, and behaviour; and therapeutic uses of nature. In this course, students will also be involved in designing curriculum materials or environments for children which have a specific emphasis on incorporating the natural world.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 212 or Direct Entry
- CLD 421 - Childhood BilingualismCourse DescriptionBuilding on the concepts of first language acquisition, this course explores how young children process, navigate and manage more than one language. Bilingualism and multilingualism will be investigated from social, cultural, historical, educational and political perspectives, focusing on young children in the Canadian context, but also drawing on current language landscapes of other countries (e.g. USA, the European Union, Iceland and Japan). Theories of second language learning in the early years will be compared and critiqued. Implications for working with bilingual and multilingual children and families will be discussed. The practical component of the course will allow students to work directly with a bilingual or a multilingual family.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 435 - Theory and Practice of Family SupportCourse DescriptionThis course provides a conceptual framework for examining the principles and practice approaches of family resource and support programs. A variety of perspectives are used to explore the needs of families and caregivers in the context of the community, public and non-profit programs and government policy. Students have the opportunity to apply theory to practice in a community setting. Theories of social support and empowerment are examined as fundamental components of family support. Students explore ways to integrate early childhood education theory and family support into community-based programs.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 442 - Infant Mental HealthCourse DescriptionThis course builds on previous child development courses for a detailed examination of the development of infants and toddlers. Students explore applications of developmental theory to identify and assess infants and toddlers, including those who may benefit from early intervention. Family empowerment intervention models are studied for all families with infants and toddlers. Cultural and economic contexts are stressed to assure responsiveness to diverse family models.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 444 - Therapies for Young ChildrenCourse DescriptionStudents critically examine the theoretical foundations for therapeutic interventions. A range of intervention models and applications of techniques are explored including therapies in play, art, music, drama and language. Prerequisite: CLD 342Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 342
- CLD 445 - Inclusion and ConsultationCourse DescriptionThis course examines the changing paradigms of service delivery in early intervention and special education for young children experiencing disability and diversity in development and their families. Inclusive models of service delivery are explored including collaborative and consultative models currently in use in infant development programs, regulated child care and early primary classrooms. Students consider educational change processes, consultation skills, public policy, interdisciplinary team collaborations, and teaching strategies in inclusive classrooms.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 446 - Children and Chronic IllnessCourse DescriptionThis course examines the impacts of chronic illness on the development of young children. Theoretical frameworks and current research from developmental paediatrics are explored and critically evaluated. Specifically, young children's adaptation to illness and hospitalization will be analyzed through case study examples and problem solving exercises. The role of the child life specialist and evidence-based practice is addressed with particular emphasis on interventions aimed at ameliorating the impact of illness.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 342 or CYC 605
- CLD 447 - Equity Issues in Ontario ECECourse DescriptionThis course examines theories of childhood, community development, and educational equity in the context of Canadian society. The course focuses on four distinct communities in the province of Ontario; English, French, migrant and Aboriginal populations. The course examines social policy, curriculum, health and education for social development in both early childhood and school settings.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 332Antirequisites:CLD 448
- CLD 448 - Childhood in a Global ContextCourse DescriptionThis course examines international perspectives on theories of childhood and community development. Topics in the course include international funding of early childhood programs, global migration, Indigenous education, international organizations working in development and advocacy, and other topics identified by the instructor. The course examines social policy, curriculum, health and education for social development in both early childhood and school settings.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Antirequisites:CLD 447
- CLD 449 - Research in ECE Lab SchoolsCourse DescriptionUniversity-based early learning programs have a long and rich history of providing leadership and contributing to knowledge regarding children and early childhood education. This course builds upon the student's existing research and analytic skills by focusing on research conducted in laboratory school settings. Supervised by the course instructor, students propose and carry out a research project. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in faculty research taking place in the ELC or GRC. Students submit a research paper at the conclusion of the course.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 450 - Indigenous Early LearningCourse DescriptionThis course introduces students to Indigenous models of care and education in the context of settler-colonialism. Students will be introduced to Indigenous early years pedagogies, parenting practices, and cultural frameworks as a mechanism for informing pedagogical practice in the early years. Indigenous conceptualizations of development, care, disability, and support models are offered through an interdisciplinary model to develop professional competencies when working with Indigenous children, families, and communities.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 570
- CLD 454 - Policy in ECECCourse DescriptionThis course introduces students to the development of social policy in Canada with a particular focus on the care and education of young children. The roles of federal, provincial and municipal governments, advocacy, social movements, as well as the sociopolitical and economic context are explored in reference to policy successes/failures. This course challenges students to connect their micro-level experiences as students of early childhood studies to the broader macro social and political context of which they are a part.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 262 or Direct Entry
- CLD 464 - Field Education IVCourse Description
In their final field education course, students take initiative to find a placement that emphasizes their ongoing professional learning and prepares them for future employment and/or further academic studies. This may include field and/or research experiences in a range of geographic locations within the province of Ontario. The bi-weekly seminar component of the course supports the students' internship experiences. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00 - CLD 466 - International/National PlacementCourse Description
This field education course provides an opportunity for students to gain international/national work experience, make professional connections and build their intercultural awareness. Students get School approval for self-selected sites and follow travel risk assessments of TMU Global Learning. Travel to the destination is in spring/summer before 7th semester. Seminar discussions focus on defining professional and academic goals for international/national placements as well as applying ethical principles and practices for communicating and sharing the international/national experience. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 363 or Direct Entry - CLD 467 - Work PlacementCourse DescriptionThis field education course provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills to their professional setting. Students propose a key project that can be implemented at their place of employment outside of paid working hours. Once approved by the School, students work in collaboration with their Field Educator to complete the project. The seminar component of the course supports the students' placement experience. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Prerequisites:CLD 363 or Direct Entry
- CLD 500 - A Caring World for ChildrenCourse DescriptionThis course will help students conceptualize a normative vision of caring societies in which all children are cared for and can thrive. Students will consider different theoretical perspectives on caring for children at the personal, political and global level. They will explore how distinctive features of a caring society intersect with, build upon or challenge other notions of societies such as the just society. The moral responsibility of caring for children in economic, social, and political contexts will be discussed.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00Liberal Studies:ULCustom Requisites:Not available to Early Childhood Studies students
- CLD 540 - Black Childhoods in CanadaCourse DescriptionAn introduction to Black Canadian Studies in the context of childhoods. Childhoods are considered via Black feminism, Black studies, anti-racism, and de-colonial theoretical and practical frameworks and pedagogy. Students engage in a range of textual, experiential, and multi-modal learning opportunities. Topics can include Black arts and media, Black Canadian histories, Black ecologies, Black families and mothering, Black girlhood, Blackness and disability, Blackness and ECEC and education, Black play, Black queer activism, and global anti-Black racism.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00
- CLD 570 - Indigenous ChildhoodsCourse DescriptionIndigenous Childhoods is an introductory course to the foundational concepts in Indigenous childhood studies in the Canadian context. Grounded in Indigenous perspectives and experiences of childhood and intervention through colonial policy, the course explores the history of settler-colonialism in Canada, including an examination of policies and practices in which Indigenous children have been intervened upon, such as residential schooling, child welfare, and current practices in education and social services. Students are introduced to cultural safe practices when working with Indigenous children, families, and communities.Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.GPA Weight:1.00Billing Units:1Count:1.00