Child Development - Formerly Child Development Associate Teacher– Major #5618

Certificate of Achievement Program Map
🖶 Printer Friendly Report

The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Certificate of Achievement in Child Development is designed to prepare students to work with young children in a variety of early care and education settings. 


Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Integrate understanding of the needs, the characteristics and multiple influences on development of children birth to age eight as related to high quality care and education.
  2. 2. Design, implement and evaluate environments and activities that support positive developmental play and learning outcomes for all young children.
  3. 3. Apply effective guidance and interaction strategies that support all children’s social learning, identity and self confidence.
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester

Term 1

15 units

CDEV 1
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
This course examines the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children, birth through age eight. Students will examine the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. The course explores professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. An introduction to best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, relationships, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children, including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. This course requires observation in a group early childhood setting. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:

    CDEV 3
    Introduction to Curriculum

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
    Students will plan developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children birth through age eight. Students will use knowledge of children’s development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children’s development and learning integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings including supports for children on race, equity, language varieties, and diverse abilities. The "To Be Arranged" hours may include observation of and participation in planning learning environments and curriculum. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite:

    Verification of freedom from tuberculosis. Verification of immunization against influenza, pertussis, and measles. 

    CDEV 6
    Health, Safety and Nutrition in Early Childhood Education

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
    This course covers laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures and early childhood curriculum best practices related to child health, safety, and nutrition in early childhood settings for children from birth through middle childhood. This course covers the teacher's role in prevention strategies, detection, and management of communicable disease; medical issues associated with disabilities and chronic illness; physical health; mental health and safety for both children and adults; collaboration with families and health professionals; nutrition and meal planning. Integration of health, safety, and nutrition experiences into daily routines and program development for children from birth through middle childhood. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. (A, CSU)
    Course Details:

      CDEV 30
      Child and Family in a Diverse Community

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
      This course emphasizes the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. The course examines the influence of multiple societal contexts including race, equity, and language. Students will explore the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

      CDEV C1000
      Child Growth and Development

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
      Part 1: Students examine the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identify developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on interactions between biological processes, environmental, and cultural factors. Students may engage in various methods of observing children's development to evaluate individual differences and analyze development characteristics at various stages according to developmental theories.
      Part 2: (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
      Course Details:
        Total: 15 units