EDEC 403 Practicum in Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler Mental Health I

This course is a prerequisite to Practicum in Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler Mental Health II. This practicum requires 200 hours of structured and supervised fourth-level, full time classroom and community-based experiences. Candidates apply knowledge, skills, and understanding about infant, toddler and preschool children’s social, emotional, physical and mental development. Host school(s) and state funded community-based agencies serve as practicum placements. The supervising faculty, in collaboration with the site supervisor, assesses the candidate’s performance as a qualified professional who can work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children, and their families, and makes recommendations for the Practicum in Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler Mental Health II. The program coordinator is in charge of practicum placement in collaboration with school and community partners. Candidates are expected to complete 200 hours each of practicum experience in Practicum I & II focusing on infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Supervised practicum for infant/toddler or preschool placements will be scheduled Monday through Thursday, 8:00AM-1:00PM for a minimum of 12 weeks. In accordance with CT law, districts may require criminal background and/or DCF child abuse and neglect registry checks to participate in the field experiences in this class.  Students are required to follow the background check policies of the district in which they are placed and are responsible for all associated fees.  CCSU is not responsible for district policies.