This course is designed to
prepare the student to work as an Early Childhood Educator with children under three years within Indigenous
and non-Indigenous community settings. The students will review the historical
infant/toddler caregiving practices and develop their own philosophies of
infant/toddler care and education. Emphasis will be on professional decision
making, as well as designing and implementing a safe, nurturing, inclusive Indigenous
Infant-Toddler program. This course builds on and expands knowledge from the IECE
Certificate program regarding early childhood development theory, Indigenous
philosophies, historical approaches to childcare and what it means to provide high-quality
care and education to young children. By the end of this course, students will
be prepared to participate fully and succeed in the Infant-Toddler Practicum
experience (ECE 295). Students will learn and discuss childrearing practices
specific to Indigenous communities in this course and will explore how to
implement decolonizing strategies and approaches to their teaching practice in
ECE.