ECE 105 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for ECE - Ashlei Wright Ludwick

Introduction

My name is Ashlei Wright Ludwick (pronounced Ash-lay). I work as a Disability Support Advisor at an Adult Education Program and teach ECE at College of the Canyons. I enjoy working with children, families, and students within the education realm. I attended CSUN for both my B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development and my M.A. in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in ECE since 2001. My experience with children ranges from birth to elementary school and includes supporting children with special needs. ECE is a lifelong learning field and I will always encourage learning and growth within students and myself. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and also learning new and innovative facts from my students.

I believe that every student brings a unique perspective shaped by their individual upbringing and life experiences. It is my hope that we will explore and understand how children develop along their own unique trajectories. Recognizing these differences, we should strive to tailor ECE curriculum that are based on the skills and knowledge of the children, building on their strengths.

Course Description

ECE 105: Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Education is a fully online course. It introduces the regulations, policies, and procedures that keep young children healthy, safe, and well-nourished. It also covers why teachers need to work with families and health professionals to support the physical health, mental health, and safety of children, families, and early childhood professionals.

Topics covered:

• Children’s well-being and the role of early childhood education
• Children’s mental health
• Preventing injury and protecting children’s safety
• Creating safe indoor and outdoor environments
• Caring for minor injuries and managing emergencies
• Child maltreatment
• Promoting good health and wellness
• Preventing illness
• Supportive health care
• Children with special health care needs
• Basic nutrition for children
• Protecting good nutrition and physical wellness
• Providing good nutrition, menu planning, and food safety

What to Expect in this Course

Weekly workload
The course is fully online and asynchronous, with no required live meetings. Each week usually covers two textbook chapters. A typical week includes:

• Reading the chapters and watching the overview video
• 2–5 discussion posts. These are due midweek, and each needs an initial post plus replies to at least two classmates.
• 1–2 chapter quizzes
• 1–3 learning activities, such as reflections, lesson plans, or scenario activities

Discussions are due Wednesday through Friday, and all other work is due Sunday. 

Technology requirements

• Reliable computer and internet access
• Access to Canvas. All coursework is completed and submitted there.
• Microsoft Office 365 (free for COC students)
• Ability to upload files in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format
• A webcam and microphone are not required. Students may optionally use them to record audio or video responses, or to join the optional Zoom student lounge.
• A current version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari is recommended for Canvas.

Projects and exams
There is no proctored midterm or final exam. Students can expect:

• Chapter quizzes: auto-graded, 2 attempts allowed, highest score kept
• Fact Finding Project: a course-long project in three parts (topic selection, worksheet, and paper) focused on one health, one safety, and one nutrition topic
• Activity Plan + Implementation: students plan and share a hands-on health, safety, or nutrition activity for young children
• Signature Assignment / Key Assessment: the final project, due at the end of week 8, which brings together learning from across the course

Types of Assessments

There is no proctored midterm or final exam. Students can expect:

• Chapter quizzes: auto-graded, 2 attempts allowed, highest score kept

Textbook Information

This course uses a Zero Textbook Cost book, which you can access at: https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Early_Childhood_Education/General_Child_Development/Health_Safety_and_Nutrition_(Paris)

Other Relevant Course Information

Before enrolling, please make sure you’ve completed ECE 100 with a grade of C or better. This is a prerequisite for the course.

This is an asynchronous (fully online) course with deadlines every week. Discussions, including your responses to peers, are due midweek, and all other work is due Sunday. Staying on top of these weekly deadlines is key to succeeding in the course.

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 10/18/2026 Sub#: 2112 Sub ID: 221112