COURSE CURRICULUM

The Early Childhood Education and Care program follows a three-year structure that integrates pedagogy, psychology, creative development, and extensive kindergarten practice to prepare students for professional work with young children. In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in education theory, research methods, early childhood pedagogy, child psychology, communication, language development, and play-based learning, alongside courses in personality development, speech cultivation, fairy tales and rhymes, bilingual education, early English, and individual kindergarten practice. These subjects establish core competencies in child observation, planning educational activities, and supporting early language development. The second year expands students’ understanding of professional ethics, assessment, and documentation, while introducing historical and anthropological perspectives on early childhood education. Learners also develop creative teaching skills through music, singing, dance, puppetry, drawing, painting, handicrafts, physical education, outdoor environmental exploration, health pedagogy, and first aid, supported by group and individual teaching practice. In the third year, the program becomes more reflective and socially oriented, focusing on inclusive education, special educational needs, child protection, disadvantaged education, intercultural competence, sustainable development, ICT, inquiry-based learning, and international trends in early childhood education. Students also explore family partnership building, conflict resolution, minority issues in Hungary, English children’s literature, and contemporary approaches to music education. Continuous practical placements culminate in complex kindergarten practice, enabling students to apply theory in real educational settings. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on child-centred pedagogy, creativity, cooperation with families, and reflective professional development. Graduates leave with the skills to design engaging learning environments, support differentiated child development, and contribute meaningfully to early childhood institutions, while also possessing a strong foundation for lifelong professional growth.