The Early Childhood Educa�on Center (ECEC) is part of

the College of Educa�on, Health & Human Services at

the University of Michigan-Dearborn. It is a high quality

early childhood program accredited by the Na�onal

Associa�on for the Educa�on of Young Children

(NAEYC). The early childhood program applies a Reggio

inspired construc�vism theory of learning to early child-

hood educa�on. Our curriculum focus is nurturing chil-

dren's cri�cal thinking skills and problem solving skills.

Approximately 250 children are enrolled in the Center.

The classrooms are mul�age programs that give children the opportunity to learn from and teach each other. We have two toddler

classrooms, five preschool classrooms and one kindergarten classroom.

• Toddlers (1 - 2½years old)

• Preschool (2½- 4 years old)

• Kindergarten (5-6 years old)

Educational Program

University of Michigan-Dearborn

College of Educa�on, Health & Human Services

Early Childhood Educa�on Center

Rela�onships

Bella greets Carlos at

the Family Fun Day.

Material Explora�on/Representa�on

Children explore open-ended

materials and represent their ideas.

How the ECEC Provides Quality Care The ECEC lead teachers are highly qualified with a

bachelor’s degree or higher and a concentra�on in

Early Childhood Educa�on. The ECEC also serves as a

teacher prepara�on and research site for the College

of Educa�on, Health and Human Services and as a

campus child care. The classroom teaching staff con-

sists of a lead teacher, student staff, and three levels

of prac�cum students. At the beginning of the term,

the lead teacher models the program philosophy and

is responsible for carrying out long term projects

based on children's ideas.

There are several advantages of involving educa�on students in the ECEC program. Because of these students, more inten�onal

learning ac�vi�es can be offered, more one-on-one interac�ons and individual aAen�on can be provided, and closer management

and behavior support can be provided at the ECEC. A low child to adult ra�o is possible due to the inclusion of University

students. They also bring to the classroom their enthusiasm and thoughBul curriculum planning.

The students also apply the most recent research based educa�onal theories and prac�ces they are learning in their University

course work. At the same �me, these University students have the opportunity to observe and learn from the children and to

model and learn appropriate teaching methods and strategies from experienced teachers.

Inten�onal Learning Group

Children observe trees and

document their findings.

Experimenta�on

The University student and

children test what happens.

The child places her finger in the

middle of the spinning sand.

University of Michigan-Dearborn Dr. Seong Hong, Director

Early Childhood Educa�on Center Deborah Jones, M.A., Site Director

18501 Rotunda Dr., Suite 300 Website: umdearborn.edu/ecec

Dearborn, MI 48124 Phone: 313.593.5424

The University of Michigan-Dearborn Early Childhood Educa�on Center (ECEC) program is based on recent child development

research and the best prac�ces in early childhood educa�on. The Center is na�onally recognized for its adapta�on of the

philosophy of the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This approach is child centered, incorporates classroom long-term inves�ga�ons

based on children’s interests, and encourages collabora�on among children, teachers, families and the community.

Our program u�lizes the long-term inquiry based project approach as inspired from the Reggio Emilia philosophy in early childhood

programs. It addresses the needs of the developing child and provides many educa�onal opportuni�es. Another key principle

is the concept of �me. We oFen call it following children's sense of rhythm. Time is given in ample amount and children are

expected to take their �me and concentrate on the specific curriculum. Thus, teachers offer children mul�ple opportuni�es for

the construc�on of knowledge and allow children to revisit their ideas and understand concepts from various perspec�ves in order

to deepen their understanding.

Educational Philosophy

University of Michigan-Dearborn

College of Educa�on, Health & Human Services

Early Childhood Educa�on Center

Documentation of Learning “Do you think we will be able to see colored shadows if we use colored light?”

The children have been thinking about colored light when they discovered

that the light beam from flashlights could change color if they placed

transparent �ssue or cellophane paper on top of the light. Because we

have been exploring with shadows and light, I thought to raise the ques�on,

“Do you think we will be able to see colored shadows if we use colored

light?” The children were enthused to find out. As the children came to

test if they could see colored shadows, they thought about turning the

lights on one at a �me only to find out that they could not see colored

shadows.

The children began to think

about turning more than one

light on. Trevor said, “Can we

turn the green and yellow light

on?” Conner said, “Let’s turn on

all the lights!”

“I see rainbow shadows!” said Grace. The children no�ce the many different colors

they can see. Conner said, “I can see orange,

green and purple. I have three arms.”

Iliana no�ced the colored

lights did not mix to make

other colors like paint. When

she wanted the yellow and

green light on she said, “I see

orange, purple and green.

I didn’t know those colors

could make purple!”