Child Development

This course introduces students to the child education and care profession. It is designed to increase understanding of the basic concepts of child development and the developmental characteristics of children from birth through age 8/9 years, including infant and toddler and pre-school years. This course is the foundation for planning appropriate activities for children and establishing appropriate expectations of young children. This class also offers an opportunity to study the developmental domains (social, emotional, cognitive/language and physical). Course includes observations of the young child in early childhood settings.

This course focuses on fostering creativity in preschool children and developing a creative attitude in teachers.  Topics include selecting and developing creative experiences in language arts, music, art, science, math and movement with observation and participation with young children required.  On completion, student will be able to select and implement creative and age-appropriate experiences for young children. 

This course surveys appropriate literature and language arts activities designed to enhance young children's speaking, listening, pre-reading and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on developmental appropriateness as related to language. Upon completion, students should be able to create, evaluate and demonstrate activities which support a language-rich environment for young children. 

This course introduces basic methods and materials used in teaching young children. Emphasis is placed on students compiling a professional resource file of activities used for teaching math, language arts, science, and social studies concepts. Upon completion students will be able to demonstrate basic methods of creating learning experiences using developmental appropriate techniques, materials, and realistic expectations, including infant and toddler and pre-school. Course includes observations of young children in a variety of childcare environments. NOTE: CGM must teach this as a 2-1-3 configuration of theory/lab hours.

This course introduces basic health, nutrition and safety management practices for young children. Emphasis is placed on how to set up and maintaining safe, healthy environments for young children including specific procedures for infants and toddlers and procedures regarding childhood illnesses and communicable diseases.

This course explores the many different types of exceptionalities found in young children. Topics include speech, language, hearing and visual impairments, gifted and talented children, mental retardation, emotional, behavioral, and neurological handicaps. Upon completion, students should be able to identify appropriate strategies for working with children. 

This course includes current topics in the child development field as an update to the professional caregiver industry needs determined by course topics. Upon completion of this class, students will demonstrate the competency needed in meeting the course objectives.

This course provides students with information about working with diverse families and communities. Students will be introduced to family and community settings, the importance of relationships with children, and the pressing needs of today’s society.  Students will study and practice techniques for developing these important relationships and effective communication skills.