VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Federal Government University

Associate Degree Programs (Associate Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education)

Introduction

The Associate Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (AD) program is designed for students having FA/ FSc. /equivalent qualification. The objectives of this program are two pronged, firstly to prepare quality teachers for newly emerging early childhood care and education programs in the public and private sectors and secondly to provide the prospective teachers the first half of the B.Ed. Hons. Degree course work. The program is thus designed to equip prospective teachers with multidimensional holistic understanding of the child, teaching tools and basic knowledge of educational challenges for early childhood education. At the completion of this degree one may join the exciting profession of ECCE teacher or may continue to complete his/her B. Ed in ECCE.

 

Disclaimer!

The courses may be revised time to time as a result of continuous review to bring them at par with courses from being taught at top-class foreign universities. While reviewing the courses, needs of local industry and job market are also given full consideration.

The University reserves the right to change fee structure from time to time.

Objectives

  1. Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual and help children to achieve their full growth and potential in all aspects.
  2. Know the fundamentals of Child Development and to be sensitive about the significance of health care and nutrition for children.
  3. Have theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the principles of Early Childhood Care and Education.
  4. Learn pedagogy, modern teaching methodologies, and use of communication & instructional technology.
  5. Recognize that children are best understood in the context of family, culture, and society and work for the close ties between the child and society.

Program Outcomes

After completing this program, the prospective teachers will be able to:

  1. Respect the identity and diversity of the child in designing strategies to promote effective learning environment.
  2. Exhibit an understanding of the child’s social, emotional, psychosocial, physical and cognitive development.
  3. Have communication skills and use of modern information technology for pre-school teaching
  4. Adopt strategies cultivate creative and reflective thinking and creativity among young learners
  5. Create a conducive classroom environment for child growth and learning
  6. Relate with colleagues, parents and community for holistic child development
  7. Develop positive attitude and exhibit positive behavior towards working with young learners
  8. Prepare instructional plans based on student needs, curriculum, subject matter and context
  9. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of assessment tools and techniques suitable for young learners

Eligibility Criteria

 

Intermediate (equivalent to 12 years of education) with at least 45% marks.

Note

  • Candidates having ‘A’ levels are required to provide equivalence certificate from Inter Board Committee of Chairman (IBCC), Islamabad. (http://www.ibcc.edu.pk/)
  • Candidates having 33% ~44% marks will be eligible for admission after the successful completion of “Zero  Semester”.

    Course Exemption

    Course exemption is not allowed.

    Duration

    It is a 2 years full time study program spreading over four semesters. Each semester has at least 18 weeks duration for teaching and examinations etc.

Assessment Criteria

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, on-line quizzes, Graded Discussion Board (GDB), mid-term and final term exams including teaching practice for AD Early Childhood Care and Education. The mid-term and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated centers and usually count for 80 to 85% of the total marks for a course.

Award of Degree

From Fall 2021, to be eligible for the award of Associate Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (ADE), the student is required to complete at least 74 credit hours with minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00 and teaching practice of 06 credit hours.
Whereas, for all previously enrolled batches, the students are required to complete at least 72 credit hours with minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 out of 4.00

Project / Internship / Practicals

Students are required to complete the teaching practice of 06 credit hours in the final year of the program.

Note: Teaching practice can be held in public and private elementary schools, and preschools.

Scheme of Study

Total Credit Hours 74
Total Semesters 4
Duration 2 Years


Associate Degree Programs (Associate Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education)
Semester No. 1
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS101 Introduction to Computing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ENG101 English Comprehension Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
GSC101 General Science Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MTH100 General Mathematics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
URD101 Urdu Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ETH202 Ethics (for Non-Muslims) Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ISL202 Islamic Studies Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
VU001 Introduction to e-Learning Required 1 (Theory:1, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 2
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ECE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ECE202 Physical Development of the Child Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ECE301 Psycho Social Development of the Child Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA305 Classroom Management for Young Learners Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA411 Teaching of Urdu in Early Childhood Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM301 Communication skills Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PAK302 Pakistan Studies Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 3
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ECE201 Language Development of the Child Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDU306 Teaching of Social Studies and Islamiat in Early Years of Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA403 Teaching of Arts, Crafts & Calligraphy Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA405 Assessment and Evaluation in Early Years of Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ENG201 Business and Technical English Writing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
GSCA201 Teaching of General Science in Early Years of Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 4
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ECTA519 Teaching Practice - I Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ECTB519 Teaching Practice - II Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA430 Use of Information and Communication Technology for Early Childhood Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA501 Role of School, Community & Teacher in Early Years of Education Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA510 Teaching of Mathematics in Early Childhood Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
EDUA516 Teaching of English in Early Childhood Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)