The Early Childhood Education program has received national recognition from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

The Early Childhood Education Department at Manhattanville College  prepares students to work as socially responsible, caring, reflective teachers of children from Birth through Grade 2. We help students learn to nurture and support children's growth, development and learning, while respecting and collaborating with their families and communities.

The School of Education is pleased to announce the approval of a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Early Childhood and Special Education. Classes will begin in the Fall 2012 semester.

Please contact Dr. Patricia Vardin at 798-2714 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to register for classes.

Upcoming Event

The Early Childhood Department and the Early Childhood Alumni Association will co-sponsor our 3rd Early Childhood conference on October 6, 2012 at 8:00am-1:00pm, entitled "The Young Exceptional Child." The conference will include speakers on topics such as early identification of children with special needs, ADHD, autism, Asperger's syndrome, hearing and visual impairments, learning and physical disabilities and gifted and talented.

Click here for brochure and registration information

The Early Childhood Department strives to ensure that all students in the Program will:

• Possess a comprehensive knowledge of child development and learning from birth-age two, including special needs and diversity: apply child development knowledge to facilitate development and learning in order to create inclusive, developmentally-appropriate experiences, curriculum and environments; use tools of assessment to evaluate and modify the curriculum and the environments they create, including technology, respect and collaborate with the families and the communities of their students;develop professional skills, habits and attitudes;
• Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and principles in the curriculum areas in which they teach.

Further, we believe that:

• Learning is a socially mediated process whereby learners construct knowledge as they act upon their environment.
• Children and adults learn best in physically and psychologically safe environments.
• Each individual is unique and special, with talents, abilities and skills that can be encouraged.
• Children and adults are affected by their families and communities, as well as by socio-cultural, economic and political factors.

Past Events

Over 300 people attended the conference on October 1, 2011.  Attendees included presenters, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, professors, parents, principals and teachers from the Tri-State area, as well as California, Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Please view our
ECE Technology Conference Slideshow .

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