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USU Southwest Area News

Early Childhood Education Programs Come to Ephraim

Oct 28, 2008

Two programs in early childhood education are available in Ephraim through the partnership between Snow College and Utah State University. Both programs lead to licensure to teach kindergarten, which is an area of growing concern in Utah.

“Early Childhood Education is gaining attention across the nation, and there is a critical need for licensed kindergarten teachers in Utah,” said Susan Talley, associate professor of family, consumer, and human development at the USU Ephraim Education Center. “These Early Childhood Education programs are available through USU’s Distance Education program at locations across the state and will alleviate that need.”

USU’s Early Childhood Education program offers licensure to teach kindergarten through third grade in Utah. A newly-developed second program, the Elementary Education K-6 program is based on the existing Elementary Education program but incorporates an early childhood component of coursework as well as experience teaching in a child lab in order to provide licensure for kindergarten through sixth grade teaching.

“Prior to the development of this new program, many people interested in becoming licensed kindergarten through sixth grade teachers had to complete a dual major in elementary education and early childhood education, taking nearly twice as long,” said Janey Stoddard, elementary education advising coordinator for Regional Campuses and Distance Education.

To facilitate the needs of the new program, the Snow College Child Development Lab is expanding. The lab is changing its name to the Little Badgers Early Learning Center and will house a new infant lab for children ages 2-3 years.

Terri Carr, director of the Child Development Lab, is enthusiastic about the expansion opportunities presented by the USU partnership.

"Future plans include a remodel and addition of children's learning space, a wonderful classroom loft and a nature-scape playground, all of which will provide the most current developmentally appropriate learning environment for the children,” Carr said. “These updates are a dream come true."

Students interested in working in Head Start or operating their own preschools can also complete a degree in family, consumer, and human development, which is also offered through the Snow/USU partnership. Other programs available include business, secondary education and computer science.