Child Development

The Child Development curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment as teachers, directors and aides in preschools and child care centers, including infant/toddler and extended day facilities. The curriculum is also appropriate for parents, administrators, health care professionals, and others working with children. Course work meets the educational components of the Department of Social Services license regulations for child care programs. The degree meets the Title 5 Department of Education educational requirements of the Assistant, Associate, Teacher, Master Teacher and Site Supervisor Child Development Permits. The curriculum meets lower division course preparation for students planning to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Child Development at most CSU campuses.

The Department of Social Services Title 22 minimum requirements to be a preschool teacher are 12 units in Child Development which must include: CD-125 Child Growth and Development, CD-131 Child, Family and Community, one curriculum class (CD-123 Principles and Practices of Programs and Curriculum for Young Children, CD-126 Art for Child Development, CD-127 Science and Mathematics for Child Development CD-128 Music and Movement for Child Development, CD-129 Language and Literature for Child Development or CD-130 Curriculum: Design and Implementation), and one additional CD course (3 units).

The California Department of Education Title 5 minimum education requirements at the Teacher level on the Child Development Matrix are 24 units in Child Development which must include: CD-125 Child Growth and Development, CD-131 Child, Family and Community, one curriculum class (CD-123 Principles and Practices of Programs and Curriculum for Young Children, CD-126 Art for Child Development, CD-127 Science and Mathematics for Child Development, CD-128 Music and Movement for Child Development, CD-129 Language and Literature for Child Development or CD-130 Curriculum: Design and Implementation), 12 additional units in CD, and 16 units of general education which must include one degree applicable course in each of four general education categories: English/Language Arts; Math or Science; Social Sciences; Humanities and/or Fine Arts.

The California Community Colleges’ Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP) consolidates and clarifies the transfer requirements for teachers of young children in the state of California. The eight CAP courses, CD-123 Principles and Practices of Programs and Curriculum for Young Children, CD-125 Child Growth and Development, CD-130 Curriculum: Design and Implementation, CD-131 Child, Family and Community, CD-134 Health, Safety and Nutrition of Young Children, CD-153 Teaching in a Diverse Society, CD-212 Practicum in Early Childhood Education and CD-213 Observation and Assessment, provide a strong foundation for transfer to four-year programs in Child Development of Early Childhood Education.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Integrate the key developmental concepts and teaching strategies into a cogently articulated philosophy of early childhood education and care.
• Employ appropriate classroom organizational and management techniques in a variety of early childhood education settings, including the implementation of curriculum that is well planned, developmentally appropriate, and based on the interests and needs of the children.
• Survey, assemble, and expand curricula resources for use in specific early childhood classrooms and centers.
• Apply and implement effective and sensitive discipline and guidance strategies directly with children.
• Clearly demonstrate the ability to plan child development programs which deliberately intend to advance, stimulate or otherwise enhance children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development in ways which are appropriate to the children’s developmental level.
• Assess their own professional competence and progress and develop a plan for professional career steps and growth.

Career Opportunities

Adoption Counselor¹
Camping Guide
Child Care Specialist
Child Psychologist¹
Curriculum Development
Development Specialist (Child, Adolescent and Family)¹
Early Intervention Aide¹
Educational Consultant¹
Infant/Toddler Teacher
Outdoor Education Specialist
Preschool Director
Preschool Teacher
Recreation Leader
Recreation Specialist¹
School Age Child Care Teacher
Social Service Specialist¹
Special Education Assistant – Children with Special Needs

¹

Bachelor Degree or higher required.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Curriculum
CD-106	Practicum: Beginning Observation and Experience	1
CD-123	Principles and Practices of Programs and Curriculum for Young Children	3
CD-125	Child Growth and Development	3
CD-126	Art for Child Development	3
CD-127	Science and Mathematics for Child Development	3
CD-128	Music and Movement for Child Development	3
CD-129	Language and Literature for Child Development	3
CD-131	Child, Family and Community	3
CD-134	Health, Safety and Nutrition of Young Children	3
CD-141	Working with Children with Special Needs	3
or CD-210	Working with Young Children with Challenging Behaviors
CD-153	Teaching in a Diverse Society	3
Total Units		31

Area of Emphasis: Preschool Children 

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Curriculum		31
CD-130	Curriculum: Design and Implementation	3
CD-132	Observation and Assessment: Field Experience Seminar	3
CD-133	Practicum-Field Experience: Student Teaching	2
Total Units		39

Plus General Education Requirements

Certificate of Achievement

Students who complete only the courses required for the major including an area of emphasis qualify for a Certificate in Child Development in that area of emphasis. An official request must be filed with the Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.