Child Development: Preschool Certificate

Guides students’ development of a professional early childhood education portfolio showcasing their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in alignment with the NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation of Students at the Associate Degree Level.

Gives students a historical and philosophical foundation of the field of early childhood education. Includes an overview of assess­ment and trends that influence best practices. Explores careers in the field. Addresses influences of families and diversity.

Reviews typical and atypical development of children from con­ception to adolescence in all developmental domains. Presents interactions between child, family and society within a variety of community and cultural contexts. Examines theories associated with our understanding of children.

Focuses on current concepts in the fields of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child ages birth to eight. Blends current theory with practical applications and assessments. Includes the influences of families and diversity on health, safety, and nutrition in early child­hood settings.

Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensi­tive care. Emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor play.

Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensi­tive care. Emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interac­tions and environments in the following areas: emergent literacy, math, science, technology and social studies.