BSc in Child Development and Family Relations - Early Childhood Education in Orono United States | University of Maine

The state-recognized Early Childhood Education specialization within the Child Development and Family Relations program equips future professionals to support children from birth through age 8 and their families. Graduates of this concentration qualify for K-3 teaching certification and may pursue the 081 endorsement (birth to age 5) through state application. Grounded in current research and teaching methodologies, this program collaborates with other educator preparation initiatives in the College of Education and Human Development. Candidates progress through a structured admission process while developing professional portfolios that showcase their mastery of state and national benchmarks. The program maintains strong ties with the Katherine Miles Durst Child Development Learning Center in Merrill Hall, which functions as a training facility for future early childhood educators. Field experiences include traditional student teaching alongside innovative community-based learning opportunities integrated with academic coursework. Although Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education share some coursework, their preparation differs significantly. The ECE program's developmental approach, starting from infancy, informs educators' ability to design age-appropriate learning experiences. Integrated curriculum courses cover all subject areas through an inclusive education lens, while family engagement principles permeate all early childhood coursework.