Examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasizes interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Introduces developmental theory and reinforces investigative research methodologies by observing children, evaluating individual differences, and analyzing characteristics of development at various stages. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Studies the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts. Explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence.

Studies the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts. Explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence.

Introduces the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children’s development and learning. Emphasizes the use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences. Examines recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Prepares those working with students in early care and learning, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and/or early primary classrooms.

Provides an opportunity for students to analyze child behavior in a designated child development center through direct observation. Applies observation techniques to early childhood teaching practice. Requires use of specific observation tools to observe children’s development and their interactions with adults, children, materials, and activities. Prepares those working with students in early care and learning, transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and/or early primary classrooms.

Examines the historical and current perspectives on diversity and inclusion and the impact of systemic societal influences on children’s development, learning, and school experiences. Explores strategies for developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate anti-bias curriculum as well as approaches to promote inclusive and anti-racist classroom communities. Includes self-reflection on the influence of teachers’ own culture and life experiences on teaching and interactions with children and families.

Explores theoretical foundations and developmentally appropriate practices for designing supportive environments, selecting appropriate materials, and developing, presenting, and evaluating music curriculum for young children. Stresses creative movement, dance, rhythm, and song as essential components of the physical, social, emotional, creative and cognitive development of young children. Encourages integration and application of music throughout the curriculum and an appreciation of diversity.

Presents theoretical foundations and practices for designing art curricula that reflect P-12 educational state standards and common core standards. Emphasizes the creation of hands-on artistic projects, the importance of art in the child's development, and the understanding of multicultural art traditions in subject matter, materials, and processes. Provides opportunities for students to gain basic art skills, understand the creative process, and investigate the critique process. Examines supportive environments and selecting materials and experiences appropriate to individual children. Examines historical contexts and indigenous aesthetics as they relate to the development of primary skills and appreciation for art and the creative process.

Presents theoretical foundations and developmentally appropriate practices for designing curriculum in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for use with young children. Examines the creation of supportive environments, selection of appropriate materials, and development, presentation, and evaluation of curriculum. Emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math curricula that emerges from the interests of children and is facilitated through the inquiry approach.

Presents theoretical foundations and developmentally appropriate practices for designing supportive environments, selecting appropriate materials, and developing, presenting, and evaluating curriculum in the language arts for young children. Introduces current research on children’s development of language and literacy, creativity, and cognition.

Surveys historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children birth through age eight. Explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. Identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Introduces best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development.

Provides opportunities for student teachers to demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood program planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of ECE/CD faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Utilizes practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Emphasizes reflective practice as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning. Explores career pathways, professional development, and teacher responsibilities.

Provides supervision at a designated child development center, allowing students to demonstrate early childhood teaching competencies, make connections between theory and practice, and develop professional behaviors. Requires hands-on application of procedures and practices. Provides opportunity to implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate experiences that promote positive development and learning for young children.

Presents an overview of developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children birth through age eight. Analyzes research 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.

Applies current theory and research to the care and education of infants and toddlers in group settings. Examines essential policies, principles and practices that lead to quality care and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from birth to 36 months. Meets CA Title 22 regulations for infant-toddler teachers and program directors. Approved for Continuing Education hours by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 02811 for 30 contact hours.

Identifies developmentally appropriate behaviors, challenging behaviors and the various influences that affect children’s behavior. Analyzes children’s behaviors and select strategies to make positive changes. Emphasizes communicating effectively with young children, guiding children of varying ages, promoting self-control, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. Emphasizes the connection between children’s social and emotional development and their success in the classroom, and how the teachers’ perceptions, experiences, and behavior influence child behaviors. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Examines teaching philosophies utilizing the reflective practice cycle process. Uses a variety of instructional strategies, including purposeful play, to assess and support children’s learning and development. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Examines infants and toddlers from pre-conception to age three including physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth and development. Applies theoretical frameworks to interpret behavior and interactions between heredity and environment. Emphasizes the role of family and relationships in development. Meets CA Title 22 regulations for infant-toddler teachers and program directors. Approved for Continuing Education hours by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number 02811 for 30 contact hours.

Introduces the laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in care and education settings for children birth through middle childhood. Focuses on the teacher’s role in prevention strategies, nutrition and meal planning, integrating health safety and nutrition experiences into daily routines, and overall risk management.

Introduces principles and practices of administering early childhood programs. Examines administrative tools, philosophies, and techniques needed to organize, open, and operate an early care and education program. Emphasizes program types, budget, management, regulations, laws, development and implementation of policies and procedures.

Examines effective strategies for personnel management and leadership in early care and education settings. Includes legal and ethical responsibilities, supervision techniques, professional development, and reflective practices for a diverse and inclusive early care and education program.

Studies the methods and principles of supervising student teachers, volunteers, staff, and other adults in early childhood or school-age care and education programs. Emphasizes the roles and development of early childhood professionals as mentors and leaders.

Introduces the social and emotional development domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of self, social interaction, and relationships. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the language and literacy development domain in the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of listening and speaking, reading, and writing. Provides practical considerations for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the English language learners domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of listening, speaking, reading and writing for children acquiring English as a second language. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the mathematics domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of number sense, algebra and functions, measurement, geometry, and mathematical reasoning. Provides strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the visual arts domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including artistic expression and response, and skills using various art mediums. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the performing arts domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of music, drama, and dance. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the physical development domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of fundamental movement skills, perceptual-motor skills and movement concepts, and active physical play. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the health domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of health habits, safety, and nutrition. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the history and social science domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of self and society, civics, history, geography, ecology, and economics. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Introduces the science domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of scientific inquiry, physical, life, and earth sciences and provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Prepares those working with students in early care and education programs including transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and early education classrooms.

Provides on-the-job learning to develop effective work habits, attitudes, and career awareness in paid or unpaid internships that are related to the discipline. Involves the development and documentation of learning objectives and the completion of an internship paper, presentation, or project. Includes both workplace supervisor and faculty adviser feedback and/or written evaluations.

Allows independent study for students who wish to extend their knowledge of a particular area of Child Development through research and study. Utilizes an approved independent project. Includes one-on-one work with instructor. Interested students should contact a Child Development instructor for assistance in developing a contract for learning about a specific topic.