10 Best Early Childhood Education (ECE) Online Courses

Online early childhood education courses can help learners decide whether a career teaching young children is a good fit. These courses provide an advantage for those who want to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education as they prepare students with fundamental concepts.

Many of these learning courses are online early childhood education certificates that boost professional development for aspiring childcare providers. Understanding emotional development and how to work with children with special needs is essential to the education of young children.

The Best Online Early Childhood Education Courses

Online programs use appropriate materials to teach students critical thinking skills. Students enrolled in online early childhood education courses should not expect to attend an in-person practicum.

Additionally, financial aid options are available for those who need assistance to pay for the credential. Below are some high-quality online courses that provide insights into real-world learning environments.

1. The State University of New York (SUNY) ? Introduction to Early Childhood

The State University of New York (SUNY) provides an Introduction to Early Childhood course through Coursera. It takes about 10 hours to complete and is part of the Home-Based Child Care specialization.

A shareable certificate is available for purchase after finishing the course. Some modules here include:

• Foundations for Early Childhood
• Observation and Assessment of Children
• Guiding Children's Behavior
• Inclusion and Diversity

2. University at Buffalo ? ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students

The University at Buffalo offers the ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students course through Coursera. This beginner-level program only takes eight hours of study and has nine assessments.

Participants learn about ADHD diagnosis and treatment in early childhood. Modules in this course include:

• What Is ADHD?
• Methods of Assessment for Screening
• School-Based Treatment Approaches and the Daily Report Card
• Parenting Strategies

3. The State University of New York ? Health and Safety of a Home-Based Childcare Center

The State University of New York partners with Coursera to present the Health and Safety of a Home-Based Childcare Center course. This self-paced program includes a shareable certificate for purchase and takes 10 hours to complete.

Students will learn about creating a safe environment for young children and the significance of mental health. Modules covered here include:

• Safety and Prevention of Injuries
• Physical Health and Young Children
• Mental Health and Wellness
• Nutrition in Early Childhood

4. Utrecht University ? Understanding Child Development

Utrecht University provides the Understanding Child Development: From Synapse to Society course through Coursera. This course takes longer than other courses on this list to complete. Students should expect to set aside at least nine hours of study weekly to complete this 28-hour course in three weeks.

The theme of this program focuses on the complex dynamics of youth. Modules in this curriculum include:

• Brain and Motor Development
• Cognitive Development
• Social-Emotional Development
• The Big Picture

5. Harvard University ? Early Childhood Development

Harvard University partners with edX to offer the Early Childhood Development: Global Strategies for Implementation course on its HarvardX educational platform. Although the course is free, an upgrade is available for a fee.

Students typically finish the course in seven weeks with one to three hours of weekly study. Topics taught here comprise of:

• developmental psychology
• policy development
• public health
• social development

6. SDG Academy ? The Best Start in Life

SDG Academy has a course on edX called The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development. This program strives to teach educators and childcare providers how to give children a positive beginning in life.

Students will learn about the significance of a child's nutrition in their brain development. Modules available here consist of:

• Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development
• Child Development: Prenatal to Age 3
• Communities and Situations of Conflict and Migration
• The Future: Innovations and Growth

7. Commonwealth Education Trust ? Foundations of Teaching for Learning

The Commonwealth Education Trust provides the Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Curriculum course through Coursera. This flexible program takes 10 hours of study and includes six assessments.

Aspiring educators can enroll in this course to learn about the most successful teaching techniques. Modules in this program include:

• Getting to Know the Curriculum
• Putting Curriculum to Work
• Theories and Theorists
• Optimizing Curriculum Outcomes

8. Commonwealth Education Trust ? Developing Relationships

Another course from the Commonwealth Education Trust is Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships. Coursera features this program, and it takes 12 hours to complete.

Future teachers can strengthen professional skills at their own pace and learn to develop relationships with families and coworkers. Modules here include:

• The Importance of Relationships for Educational Settings
• Developing Positive Teacher-Student Relationships
• Working With Your Colleagues and School Leaders
• The Importance of Parent Involvement for Student Success

9. Queensland University of Technology ? Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood

The Queensland University of Technology offers the Teaching Phonics in Early Childhood course through Future Learn. This introductory-level course only takes two hours of study and shows future educators how to teach phonics to children.

Like other courses on this list, the training is free but has an optional upgrade. Some of the topics in this program include:

• What Is Code-Related Literacy?
• What Is Phonics?
• Why Is Phonics Important in Early Childhood Settings?
• What Are Some Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Phonics?

10. University College London ? Childhood Adversity

The University College London offers a course through Future Learn called Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Mental Health. Students typically complete this program within three weeks.

Participants will learn how mental health and childhood adversity are connected. Modules here include:

• Introduction to the Educational Perspective
• Educating Young People Who Experienced Adversity
• How Does Maltreatment Affect the Developing Brain?
• Building Relationships

FAQs About Early Childhood Education Courses

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about early childhood education courses.

Are There Any Accredited Online Early Childhood Education Courses That Offer a Diploma?

Many accredited online early childhood education courses offer certifications for purchase after completion of the program. You can share these certifications on a resume or your LinkedIn profile.

These certificates may put you ahead of other job candidates and give you specialized knowledge. Certificates are not free and must be purchased, but aid is available to help those with financial need.

How Do I Get Certified in Early Childhood Education?

Getting certified in early childhood education typically requires completing a degree and a teacher preparation program. The requirements in each state vary, so check with your state's department of education to determine the specifics.

What Is the Difference Between a ''Licensure'' and a ''Non-Licensure'' Program?

The main difference between a licensure and non-licensure program is that one program provides a degree and teaching license, while the other only provides a degree. Universities typically offer one or the other ? and sometimes both.

Before enrolling in an early childhood education degree program, determine whether the program provides a license or not. Evaluate your career goals to decide which track is better for you.

Earn Your Early Childhood Education Degree Today

Completing an early childhood education course online is the first step to earning a degree. Take the knowledge you learned in one of the courses above and apply it to an undergraduate degree to begin your career today. Contact one of the institutions featured on Learn.org for more information.