The program is designed to enable students to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of children?s self-initiated and self-structured activities in their learning and development.
• Improve their ability to plan developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum to address the developmental range and diverse characteristics of young children (birth to age 8).
• Demonstrate an understanding of critical issues and trends in the field of early childhood education.
• Demonstrate personal research skills and apply theoretical and research knowledge to practice in early childhood settings.
• Engage in reflective inquiry and demonstrate professional self-knowledge.
• Increase their ability to work with linguistically and culturally diverse children and families.
• Demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively with peers/colleagues to achieve goals for children and families.
• Increase their capacity to assume leadership roles in schools or programs serving young children and their families.