Program Overview

Early Childhood: Family-Centered Services

Course Overview

The Early Childhood: Family-Centered Services course provides conceptual frameworks for working with families of children from a variety of backgrounds, with an emphasis on family-centered practices designed to help early childhood professionals involve and support families in the care and education of children.

Course Details

• Instructor: Marrea Winnega, Ph.D.
• Grading Method: Letter (Letter)
• Credits: 2
• Department: EDUC (2000)
• Academic Level: K-12 Professionals
• Start/End Dates: 05/19/2026 - 08/07/2026
• Term: Summer 2026
• Location: Online
• Instruction Mode: Internet Asynchronous (online class)
• Cost: $250

Description

This course seeks to promote the development of thoughtful, knowledgeable, effective educators for a diverse society. It is a self-supporting program that provides instruction, structured practice, and evaluation.

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Syllabus

The course syllabus must be completed and submitted by August 7, 2026.

Objectives

You will:

• Have a working knowledge of the major frameworks for understanding family systems, transitions, and diversity.
• Be competent in communicating about the role of families in promoting optimal growth, development, and learning from pre-birth to age five.
• Have the ability to seek out appropriate local, regional, and national resources when working with families facing special challenges.
• Demonstrate understanding of appropriate professional practices related to enhancing and assessing positive staff-parent communication and involvement.

Materials

Course materials are available online as part of the course, titled "Early Childhood: Family-Centered Services" by Drs. Marrea Winnega and Aumony Dahl.