Examines major developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence in the areas of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language, emphasizing interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. Introduces developmental theory and reinforces investigative research methodologies by observing children, evaluating 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, such as status of children in society; diverse family structures; family interpersonal relationships; schools and other educational opportunities, and mass media. Covers the influences of age, gender and ability, race, culture, ethnic and socio-economic factors; parenting styles; public policy; and social challenges related to children and families. Explores the role of collaboration between family, schools, and community in supporting children's development.

Studies the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts, such as status of children in society; diverse family structures; family interpersonal relationships; schools and other educational opportunities, and mass media. Covers the influences of age, gender and ability, race, culture, ethnic and socio-economic factors; parenting styles; public policy; and social challenges related to children and families. Explores the role of collaboration between family, schools, and community in supporting children's development. Honors work challenges students to be more analytical and creative through expanded assignments, real-world applications, and enrichment opportunities. Course Credit Limitation: Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will only be awarded to the first course completed with a grade of "C" or better or "P".

Introduces the use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document and support young children’s development and learning. Emphasizes use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences. Covers various methods of observation and data collection, assessment tools, recording strategies, rating systems, and portfolios. Explores time management and legal and ethical responsibilities, 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.

Explores personal prejudices and biases through a self-reflection process that addresses principles of equity in the areas of culture, diverse abilities, family life, gender, and socio-economic status. Uses the self-reflection process to better inform teaching practices and/or program development by creating an awareness of the teacher's own understanding of developmentally appropriate practice in integrating anti-bias goals and embracing a celebratory approach to diversity. Identifies culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches that support all children in becoming competent members of a diverse society and examines the development of social identities in diverse populations, including theoretical and practical implications affecting young children, families, programs, teaching, education, and schooling.

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 early childhood service delivery models and programs with an emphasis on professional ethics, recommended practices, and policy. Reviews the historical and philosophical roots of early childhood programs. Examines developmentally appropriate learning environments, routines and strategies for constructive adult-child interactions. Develops teaching strategies based on a foundation of relationships and knowledge of child development that support physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development for all children.

Examines in depth the procedures and practices for teaching young children in a range of settings. Provides opportunities for student teachers to demonstrate early childhood teaching competencies, make connections between theory and practice, build a comprehensive understanding of children and families, and develop professional behaviors. Emphasizes reflective practice as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches and strategies that promote development and learning for all young children.

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. All CD courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C in order to meet the requirements for Child Permits issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Presents an overview of knowledge and skills related to providing developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for young children from birth through age eight. Explores teaching strategies and curriculum development based on theoretical frameworks, observation, and assessment. Emphasizes the teacher’s role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum, including all content areas.

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 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. OTHER: 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 and early childhood curriculum related to child health, safety, and nutrition. Identifies key components that ensure physical health, mental health and safety for both children and staff along with the importance of collaboration with families and health professionals. Includes injury and illness prevention strategies, nutrition and meal planning for various ages, and the planning of educational experiences integrated into daily routines designed to teach children positive health, safety, and nutrition habits. Focuses on integrating nutrition, health, and safety concepts into daily routines and program development for all children.

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. Course required by CA Title 22 regulations for Program Director, and by Title 5 for the Child Development Permit at the Site Supervisor and Program Director levels.

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. The Child Development Permit of Title 5 ECE/CD programs requires this course for Site Supervisors (Option 1) and Program Directors.

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. Course required by the Child Development Permit for Title 5 ECE/CD programs for Master Teachers, Site Supervisors and Program Directors.

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.