Elmhurst University’s innovative program in educating young children prepares students to teach children from birth to grade two.
Graduates will earn both an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement and an early childhood special education approval, making them highly marketable as teachers.
Program Highlights
- Students in the educating young children program begin their in-school clinical experiences early in their education, with close supervision and coordination from faculty. Courses are offered in term-length “blocks,” with each block devoted to a different developmental level.
- All candidates will earn the early childhood license with an early childhood special education approval and English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.
All students graduating with a degree in early childhood education will be eligible to receive the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 Credential in Early Childhood.
Recommended Course Sequence
Explore course offerings for the Educating Young Children Program in the 2026-2027 catalog. Please note that one unit of credit equals four semester hours.
Fall Term
- ENG 105 Composition I
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Spring Term
- EDU 104 Cultural Foundations of Education in the United States
- ENG 106 Composition II
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Fall Term
- EDU 223 Education of PK-12 Learners with Exceptionalities
- MTH 325 Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers I
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Spring Term
- MTH 326 Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers II
- TEL 204 Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching English Language Learners
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Fall Term
- EYC 300 Introduction to Curriculum, Planning and Instruction for Birth-Five
- EYC 321 Early Intervention Methods
- EYC 323 Typical/Atypical Infant Toddler Assessment
- EYC 326 Typical/Atypical Development of the Young Child
- EYC 327 Typical/Atypical Language Development and Emergent Literacy
- EYC 328 Family and Community Relationships
January Term
- TEL 212 Theoretical Foundations
Spring Term
- EYC 350 Curriculum, Instruction and Assistive Technology
- EYC 412 Assessing Young Children
- EYC 414 Early Childhood Special Education Methods
- EYC 416 STEAM Curriculum for 3-5 Year Olds
- TEL 317 Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners
- TEL 319 Linguistics in Second Language Learning
Fall Term
- EYC 314 Elementary Methods and Materials for Literacy Learners in Diverse Primary Classrooms
- EYC 341 Primary Classroom Methods in Elementary Mathematics, Science and Social Science
- EYC 419 Evidence-Based Elementary Classroom Assessment and Learning Environments
- EYC 450 Practicum III-Collaboration and Professional Practice
- TEL 439 Assessment of English Language Learners
- TEL 448 Action Research and Application of Bilingual Methods I
Spring Term
- EYC 454 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education Special Education
- TEL 449 Action Research and Application of Bilingual Methods II
Get Started
Completing Educating Young Children Prerequisites at a Community College
Planning to complete the program’s prerequisites at a community college prior to transferring? Use the advising sheets below to determine which courses you need to enroll in at the community college of your choice so you are prepared to apply to the EYC program.