Developing Young Learners
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Early Childhood Education is a program suited for those with a heart for teaching young children. This degree will prepare students for the Illinois Early Childhood Professional Educator License/ESL endorsement.
Teachers of young children set the tone for a lifetime of learning and development. Students studying early childhood education will learn how to create and manage a nurturing, safe classroom where every child thrives. They will plan and lead lessons and activities that help develop motor skills, expressive language and literacy.
At Olivet, early childhood education majors have opportunities in and outside the classroom to learn and grow in their field. These students will study instructional methods, children’s literature, language development, sociology of the family, as well as learn about the philosophies of early childhood education, including Montessori, High Scope, Bank Street and Dewey. For hands-on experience, students will visit and observe the Head Start program at work in Kankakee County, and work with children in an off-campus classroom under their teacher’s supervision.