Early Childhood Education and Family Support, A.A.
Overview
The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the requirements of a variety of state and community programs, including public school classroom assistants, child care educators, school-age child care staff, family home visitors, early interventionists, infant mental health professionals, social workers, health professionals, Child and Adult Care Food Program representatives, foster care parents, and others interested in parenting and family support. The degree is inclusive and aligned with the competencies defined by the New Mexico Office of Child Development, and WNMU has partnered with other New Mexico colleges and universities to develop a transfer module and common core competencies to support credit transfer between institutions. The program helps students begin earning the coursework and experience required for New Mexico Early Childhood Licensure (note that the licensure requires courses completed at both the associate and bachelor degree levels). The program also prepares students to meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards and Competencies (PSC).
Conceptual Framework
The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is designed to prepare future educators to work with infants/toddlers and preschool through pre-kindergarten children. The program emphasizes developmentally appropriate practice grounded in knowledge of how young children develop and learn, supporting educators in creating responsive, engaging learning experiences that strengthen early literacy, early mathematics, exploration of science concepts, and social-emotional growth. Students also learn to build strong, family-centered partnerships by recognizing how home experiences, culture, and community resources influence children’s learning and well-being. Through coursework and supervised field experiences, students develop skills in observing, documenting, and assessing children’s progress to guide instruction, promote healthy development, and support positive outcomes for every child. The program fosters professionalism through ethical practice, continuous improvement, and a commitment to equitable, inclusive early education, and prepares students to meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards and Competencies (PSC).
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