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 Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in preschool through grade 12 (TK-12) school settings. Completing the certificate satisfies the federal No Child Left Behind requirements for employment in school districts and is the foundation for the Associate degree for Transfer in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
1. Demonstrate introductory subject matter competency required for working in preschool to grade 12 school settings.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of social, cultural, environmental, and aesthetic perspectives necessary for working in preschool to grade 12 classrooms.
3. Discuss historical influences and current trends in education, as well as teaching strategies and approaches appropriate for students of diverse, needs, abilities and backgrounds.
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
Term 1
13 units
CHDEV1
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 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:
CSU Transfer Course
CHDEV3
Introduction to Curriculum
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 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:
CSU Transfer Course
CHDEV30
Child and Family in a Diverse Community
3 units
Effective Term: 2025 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:
Advisory: ENGL C1000
G: Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
CSU Transfer Course
E2 - Lifetime Skills
ENGLC1000
Academic Reading and Writing
4 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Critical reading of diverse voices is a major component of this course. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
A: English Composition
A2 - Written Communication
CSU Transfer Course
D1 - Composition
Term 2
12-13 units
Introduction to Teaching
3-4 units
EDUC10
Introduction to Teaching With Classroom Fieldwork
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester This course is an introduction to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in contemporary schools, Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). Topics include theories of learning, teaching methodologies, teacher inquiry and reflexivity, teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, contemporary educational issues, California's content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time discussing theories and methods, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public K-12 classrooms that represent California's diverse student population where students will apply course theories, methods, and concepts. This includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher. Students complete their observation hours in a classroom that is in line with their degree plans. Multiple-subject students to observe in an elementary school. Single subject majors (History, Math, English, etc.) to observe in a subject area at a high school or junior high school. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
CSU Transfer Course
or
Introduction to Teaching
4 units
EDUC30
Introduction to Teaching
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester This course is an introduction to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today’s contemporary schools, Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). Course topics include teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, theories of learning, teaching methodologies, teacher inquiries and reflexivity, contemporary educational issues, California’s content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
CSU Transfer Course
and
EDUC19
Work Experience Education
1 unit
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester This course consists of supervised employment extending the classroom based on occupational learning related to the student’s major. The collaborative learning objectives are established specific to the particular occupational field of each student. Orientation hours may be required. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
Prerequisite: EDUC 30
CSU Transfer Course
CHDEV39
Child Growth and Development
3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. An emphasis will be on the interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children of varying ages to evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
G: Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
I: Psychology
D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
D9 - Psychology
E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
CSU Transfer Course
Language and Literacy for Multilingual Learners or Children’s Literature
3 units
CHDEV47
Language and Literacy for Multilingual Learners
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester This course covers research-based principles and practices for providing children birth through age eight with a strong foundation in multilingual and literacy development within a developmentally appropriate approach. Students will explore various topics, including the teacher's role, preparation of the classroom environment, anti-bias curriculum development, and teaching strategies, with an emphasis on ways to support multilingualism. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
CSU Transfer Course
or
EDUC43
Children’s Literature
3 units
Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester This course offers a selection and presentation of children's literature from infancy to eight years of age. Students will learn about storytelling, emergent literacy, and awareness regarding diverse perspectives while emphasizing supporting the child’s social and emotional awareness regarding multicultural, multilingual, and non-sexist perspectives through children's literature. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
CSU Transfer Course
MATH10A
Structure and Concepts in Mathematics I
3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester In this course students will develop quantitative reasoning through an in-depth study of topics including real number systems and subsystems. The emphasis is on comprehension and analysis of mathematical concepts and applications of logical reasoning. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
