Early Childhood Education - Formerly Child Development – Major #5616 - Certificate of Achievement

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)

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)

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)

(A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

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)

The course examines the historical and current perspectives of diversity, values, culture, racism, and oppression and the impacts of these factors on children’s development, learning, and educational experiences. Students will explore strategies for developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate anti-bias curriculum, as well as approaches to promote inclusive and anti-racist classroom communities. Students will engage in self-reflection on the influence of teachers' own values, culture, beliefs, and experiences on teaching and interactions with children and families. (A, CSU)

This course introduces the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children’s development and learning. The use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences are emphasized. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools will be discussed, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. (A, CSU)

In this course, students will demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood program planning and teaching skills under the supervision of ECE/CD faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Reflective practice will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning through child-centered play-oriented experiences. This course includes exploration of career pathways, professional development, and teacher responsibilities. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. (A, CSU)