This course offers a broad look at intentional teaching and developmentally appropriate practice for pre-service teachers, focusing on teaching children from birth through sixth grade. Foundational information regarding child development, learning theories, appropriate environments and curricula, educational issues and trends, diversity, learning standards, family partnerships, and the multi-faceted role of the early childhood/childhood professional will be addressed. Twenty (20) hours of observation outside of the college classroom are required. A grade of B- or better is required for SUNY New Paltz School of Education.Pre/Corequisite: ENG 101