THEOLOGY: 7 credits required
THE9105 Old Testament Bible Lessons 2 Credits
An in-depth study of the Old Testament Bible stories that are commonly taught in Lutheran early childhood ministries, stories that reveal how God carried out his plan of salvation and that point to Jesus as the promised Savior.
THE9106 New Testament Bible Lessons 2 Credits
An in-depth study of the New Testament Bible lessons commonly taught in Lutheran early childhood centers with a focus on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; the spreading of the Christian Church; faith and eternal life; and the office of the public ministry.
THE9534 Grounded in Scripture 3 Credits
An introduction to theology that focuses on scriptural teachings that are of special importance to Christian early childhood teachers and lay chaplains.
Candidates may substitute the following courses:
THE1002 Biblical History and Literature II 3 credits
A survey of God’s grace through the literature of the Old Testament major prophets and the New
Testament gospel accounts set in the context of exilic, post-exilic literature and Intertestamental historical record.
THE2001 Biblical History and Literature III 3 credits
A survey of God’s grace through the literature of selected New Testament epistles set in the context of
the book of Acts. This is a writing-intensive course in undergraduate General Education programs.
THE2103 Biblical Interpretation 3 credits
An analysis of the major approaches to biblical interpretation, and an examination and application of the correct principles used to understand the Bible.
THE3001 Christian Doctrine I 3 credits
A study of those truths that the Bible, as the divinely inspired source of doctrine, presents concerning the author, the object, and the mediator of salvation.
THE3002 Christian Doctrine II 3 credits
The scriptural truths concerning the blessing the Holy Spirit showers on believers, individually and
collectively, in the presentation and appropriation of the gift of salvation.
EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY EDUCATION: 5 credits required
EDU8103 Developing Home & School 1 Credit
Emphasis on developing a family-oriented classroom, techniques of communication, methods of actively engaging families, and resources to benefit family nurturing and school interaction. A family take-home kit and plan for implementing partnerships will be developed.
EDU8114 Roles and Responsibilities of the Lutheran Early Childhood Educator 1 Credit
An examination of the role of the early childhood educator in a Lutheran early childhood ministry setting.
EDU9109 Bible Story Telling in Early Childhood 1 Credit
Materials and methods for effective Bible storytelling and for enabling children’s retelling.
MUS8101 Music and Worship in ECE 1 Credit
Spiritual, musical, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of music learning in early childhood. Participants will survey early childhood music learning theories and music teaching methods. The course will include the use of the WELS music curriculum, Sing and Make Music.
THE8112 The Role of ECE in Mission Outreach 1 Credit
Strategies to increase gospel outreach through early childhood education.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION: 6 credits needed
EDU8101 Intellectual, Social, & Emotional 1 Credit
The social and emotional development of preprimary children and its impact on cognitive functioning and instructional approaches.
EDU8102 Operation & Management of ECE 1 Credit
An overview of the operation and management of early childhood education programs.
EDU8105 Encouraging Literacy Development 1 Credit
Theoretical and practical approach to promoting children’s emergent language development in early childhood settings.
EDU8108 Preprimary Curriculum Essentials I 1 Credit
Theory, research evidence, standards, teaching practices, Christian ECE philosophy, an active early learning environment, and a consistent daily routine that underlie and support a quality ECE curriculum.
EDU8109 Preprimary Curriculum Essentials II 1 Credit
Theory, research evidence, standards, teaching practices that underlie and support the ECE curriculum areas of mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the visual and dramatic arts.
EDU8112 Health and Safety in Early Childhood 1 Credit
Planning for safety, first aid, health, and nutrition in the early childhood learning environment.
EDU8113 Assessment of Young Children 2 Credits
The knowledge and skills necessary to establish a practical approach for the observation and development assessment of young children and communication of progress to parents.
PED8101 Physical and Motor Development for Pre-primary 1 Credit
Teachers of young children play a vital role in fostering their physical and motor development. This two-day course addresses the physical needs of children from conception through childhood. Participants will plan for a week of physical education classes using a format presented in class.
Candidates may substitute the following courses:
EDU8106 Play and Learning Experiences 1 Credit
A study of young children’s learning through play, with a focus on ages 3-5. Includes identifying active learning experiences, establishing and maintaining an environment for play, and identifying teacher roles in play-based learning.
EDU9105 Early Childhood Basics I 1 Credit
Meets requirements for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and meets Competency
Standard I and VI. Provides orientation to CDA requirements and addresses functional areas related to
safety, health, the learning environment, and a commitment to professionalism.
EDU9106 Early Childhood Basics II 1 Credit
Enables participants to advance their students’ physical and intellectual competence. Meets CDA
Competency Standards II and V, which include physical and cognitive development, communication,
creativity, and observation and assessment.
EDU9107 Early Childhood Basics III 1 Credit
Enables participants to support their students’ social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance, to establish positive and productive relationships with families, and to ensure a well-run,purposeful program that is responsive to student needs. Meets CDA Competency Standards III, IV, and V.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
A five-week experience in a WELS early childhood setting to be arranged on an individual basis. This experience should be pre-approved by the director of teaching ministry certification. It may take place in the teacher’s own classroom.