Undergraduate
Major

Early Childhood/Childhood Education

School of Education & Human Services

Ready to make an impact on the future?  Our Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) program at Canisius University is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to inspire and educate the next generation. 

Join a program where expert faculty guide you through an innovative curriculum designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to excel. Transform your passion into a career that matters.

Our program is designed with your success in mind. By combining theoretical knowledge with extensive field experience, we ensure that you are not only qualified but also confident in your ability to teach in diverse and high-needs environments. The program's integration of the Canisius University Core Curriculum and a 30-credit liberal arts concentration further enhances your content knowledge, preparing you to teach children from Birth through Grade 6 effectively.

Our program ensures you are well-prepared to manage high-needs classroom settings.

Course Highlights

EDY 208 Infant/Toddler Care and Education

Description: This course explores how infants and toddlers grow and learn. You'll study topics like attachment, perception, motor skills, thinking, language, emotions, and social skills in children from birth to age three. The course emphasizes understanding children within their family and cultural backgrounds.

Fieldwork: You'll need to complete 10 hours of field placement working with infants and toddlers.

ECCH 221 Emergent Literacy

Description: This course looks at how young children develop language and literacy skills. You'll learn strategies to help children become fluent readers and writers. The course also covers language development theories and their practical applications.

Fieldwork: Includes 20 hours of field experience. This class can help you apply for early childhood certification in New York State.

ECCH 412 Managing the Elementary & Secondary Ed Classroom

Description: This course teaches you how to manage classroom behavior effectively. You'll learn the importance of a proactive approach to prevent behavior problems and how to set up a structured classroom environment. The course focuses on supporting children with emotional and behavioral difficulties from PreK-12.