Child Development

This course introduces students to the child education and care profession. It is designed to increase understanding of the basic concepts of child development and the developmental characteristics of children from birth through age 8/9 years, including infant and toddler and pre-school years. This course is the foundation for planning appropriate activities for children and establishing appropriate expectations of young children. This class also offers an opportunity to study the developmental domains (social, emotional, cognitive/language and physical). Course includes observations of the young child in early childhood settings.  

This course is a systematic study of child growth and development from conception through early childhood, with focus on infant and toddler.  Emphasis is on principles underlying physical, mental, emotional and social development, and methods of child study and practical implications.  Upon completion, students will be able to use knowledge of how young children differ in development and approaches to learning to provide opportunities that supports physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and aesthetic development. 

This course focuses on fostering creativity in preschool children and developing a creative attitude in teachers.  Topics include selecting and developing creative experiences in language arts, music, art, science, math and movement with observation and participation with young children required.  On completion, student will be able to select and implement creative and age-appropriate experiences for young children.

This course introduces basic methods and materials used in teaching young children.  Emphasis is placed on students compiling a professional resource file of activities used for teaching math, language arts, science, and social studies concepts.  Upon completion students will be able to demonstrate basic methods of creating learning experiences using developmental appropriate techniques, materials, and realistic expectations, including infant and toddler and pre-school.  Course includes observations of young children in a variety of childcare environments.

This course introduces basic health, nutrition and safety management practices for young children.  Emphasis is placed on how to set up and maintaining safe, healthy environments for young children including specific procedures for infants and toddlers and procedures regarding childhood illnesses and communicable diseases. 

This course focuses on child development from infancy through thirty-five months of age with emphasis on planning programs using developmentally appropriate materials.  Emphasis is placed on positive ways to support an infant or toddler’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.  Upon completion, the students should be able to plan an infant-toddler program and environment that is appropriate and supportive of the families and the children.

This course explores the many different types of exceptionalities found in young children. Topics include speech, language, hearing, and visual impairments; gifted and talented children; mental retardation; and emotional, behavioral, and neurological handicaps. Upon completion, students should be able to identify appropriate strategies for working with children.

This course provides students with information about working with diverse families and communities. Students will be introduced to family and community settings, the importance of relationships with children, and the pressing needs of today’s society.  Students will study and practice techniques for developing these important relationships and effective communication skills.

This course provides a minimum of 90 hours of hands-on, supervised experience in an approved program for young children.  Students will develop a portfolio documenting experiences gained during this course.  NOTE: If students are pursuing a certificate in Infant and Toddler, placement must be in an infant and toddler environment.

This course provides students with information on children’s conceptual development and the fundamental basic concepts of both math and science. Students learn various techniques for planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities.  Students will also learn about integrated curriculum.