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Child Development - Course Descriptions

Major Code 1305.10

1 Child Growth and Development (3) UC:CSU
The process of human development from pre-birth to adolescence is studied. Emphasis is placed on development that enables children to reach physical, mental, emotional and social maturity.

2 Early Childhood: Principles and Practices (3) CSU
Prerequisite: Verification of an annual tuberculosis test.
The student becomes aware of various types of educational programs available to children 0-8 years of age. The student will be exposed to career opportunities, the role and responsibilities of a teacher, and age appropriate curriculum in Early Childhood programs. The student will study the field from a historical and cultural perspective. The student will study the curriculum components and teaching modalities that are critical in an early learning program.

3 Creative Experiences for Children I (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2.
Many types of creative experiences for young children are explored including painting, clay modeling, music, drama, art materials and language development. The student has an opportunity to learn to set up, control and evaluate children's experiences in a classroom setting.

4 Creative Experiences for Children II (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2.
Many types of creative experiences for young children are explored including sensory motor development, language development, literacy development, math, science, perceptual motor development, social studies. Anti-bias training, multi-cultural, language arts, age appropriate curriculum, pre-kindergarten guidelines, dramatic play and group time activities are also covered. The student has an opportunity to learn how to set up, control and evaluate children's experiences in a classroom setting. The student will design and implement lesson plans that reflect the content of the curriculum components in this area of the curriculum of an early learning program.

10 Child Health (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2.
This course includes information on the nutritional needs and physical and mental well being of children from birth to adolescence. Information dealing with special problems/disabilities is included. Habits and attitudes toward health are discussed.

11 Home, School and Community Relations (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2.
A study is made on the effect of children's homes, schools and communities on children's development. Special emphasis is placed on the dynamics of human relations in the multicultural urban setting. The cooperation between all agencies connected with the young child is studied in depth.

12 Parent-Teacher-Child Interaction (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2.
Emphasis is placed on familiarizing students with techniques used in parent-teacher conferences to enable them to relate better to the families of the children in their classrooms. Techniques such as role-playing and personal interviews are utilized to give students confidence in working with parents and their specific problems.

21 Child Development Practices and Observation (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1 and 2. Verification of an annual tuberculosis test and fingerprinting is required.
Teaching methods and program planning for preschool students are examined along with the use of materials and equipment in the classroom. Observation and limited participation in the preschool classroom is included, as well as discussions on the development of a well adjusted personality during the preschool years.

22 Practicum in Child Development I (4) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1, 2 and 21. Verification of an annual tuberculosis test and fingerprinting is required.
Work with nursery school children is conducted under the direction of a nursery school staff member and is supplemented by the supervision of the course instructor. Emphasis is placed on developing, implementing and evaluating classroom experiences for young children.

23 Practicum in Child Development II (4) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1, 2, 3, 4, and 22 with a grade of "C" or better. A tuberculosis test and fingerprinting is required.
This is the second semester of practicum teaching experience in a different setting and under the supervision of a master teacher and college instructor. This course provides the practical application of theories covered in recommended courses.

30 Infant and Toddler Studies I (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1.
This course will include a study of infant and toddler development from birth through toddler-hood. The birth process, attachment, temperament and development physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally will be included. Care giving and environments that support development will be covered. Assessments and observations will be implemented by students in a fieldwork format.

31 Infant and Toddler Studies II (3) CSU
The principles of inclusive, respectful care giving for infants and toddlers within a variety of program designs will be studied and analyzed. Skills for designing appropriate curriculum and environments will be included in the content of the course. Health, safety and licensing requirements will be examined. Modalities for communicating with parents and providing resources for support will be discussed as part of this course.

34 Observing and Recording Children's Behavior (3) CSU
This course includes observing, recording and interpreting children's behavior in a variety of settings. Diaries, anecdotes and other forms of written and oral records are explored and used.

35 Fostering Literacy Development in Young Children (3) CSU
This course examines early literacy as the beginning stages of learning to read and write. The course surveys ways to promote early literacy through curriculum, assessment, talking, playing, reading, writing, and learning the code. The use of developmentally appropriate approaches in promoting and reinforcing early literacy are implemented in hands-on projects. Students are exposed to recognizing the alphabet as a code for the sounds of language.

38 Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs I (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 1, 2 and 11.
The principles and practices of nursery school organization and administration covered include organizational structure, budgeting, personnel policies and practices, records, statistics, reporting and relationship with community resources.

39 Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs II (3) CSU
Recommended: Child Development 38.
An in-depth study of budget and staffing, including the use of computers. The course will include proposal writing, advocacy, staff relations, in-service training, working with parents, dealing with supervising agencies or boards, professional activities and current research in the field, as well as changes in the laws.

42 The Child in a Diverse Society (3) CSU
This course presents the philosophy and methods related to working with young children and families within a diverse society, including race, language, culture, gender, age, social class and children with special needs. Curriculum development and environmental designs will be studied from an inclusive perspective.

44 Programs for Children with Special Needs I (3) CSU
This course focuses on accommodating and adapting the physical environment, instructional strategies and curriculum to meet the needs of differently-abled children and their families. Legal mandates and the impact of laws and legislation will be examined in respect to the impact on children and their families. Understanding the process of assessment and developing an Individual Family Service Plan will be analyzed and discussed.

45 Programs for Children with Special Needs II (3) CSU
This course identifies the political and social implications that affect special education, and it identifies the different categories of disabilities. The Individual Education Plan is discussed and evaluated. Students are exposed to techniques for identifying and implementing goals and objectives for children with special needs. Teaching techniques and curriculum activities are discussed, designed and implemented in the class projects.

46 School Age Programs I (3) CSU
The student will be introduced to school age programs. It is designed for those planning to work in before- and after-school childcare. Topics to be covered will include growth and development, creative experiences, and developmentally appropriate practices and environments. Techniques for guiding children's behavior and communication will be discussed.

47 School Age Programs II (3) CSU
Students will be introduced to the different types of school age childcare programs. Topics to be covered will include the child in context to the family, community and society. The physical environment and the modalities for facilitating learning will be discussed and analyzed. Opportunities to develop and implement age- and content-appropriate activities for school age children will be executed in classroom projects.

48 Positive Guidance in Early Childhood Settings (3) CSU
This course will explore developmentally appropriate management techniques for children in early childhood settings. Emphasis will be placed on developing culturally sensitive individualized plans for behavior management of traditional and special needs children.

60 Introduction to Family Child Care I (1)
This course is designed for family childcare providers and persons entering the profession. Focus is placed on business and environmental considerations, age appropriate activities for multi-ages. The importance of maintaining accurate business records will be discussed. Identifying and maintaining a quality program will be discussed in terms of such aspects as: health, safety, nutrition, physical environment, and communication with parents and children.

61 Introduction to Family Child Care II (1)
This course is designed for students who are interested in family day care. It will focus on business management, business law, insurance, budget, contracts and record keeping, taxes and marketing. Students will explore marketing techniques and design advertising materials and contracts.

62 Developmental Profiles: Pre-Birth Through Age Eight (2)
This course defines concise profiles of physical, emotional, social and intellectual development from pre-birth through age eight. It reviews commonly used terms and concepts of child development. Students will examine observation and assessment techniques to enable them to evaluate children.

63 Creative Curriculum in a Family Child Care Setting (2)
This course has an emphasis on play and creative experiences for children in the home setting. Demonstrations and participation in dramatic play, manipulatives, music, math, science, art, crafts, and language will be covered, with emphasis placed on promoting an environment and techniques that will foster creativity and individuality in children.

65 Adult Supervision and Early Childhood Mentoring (2)
This course is a study of the modalities and principles of supervising teachers, staff and student teachers in an early childhood program. Emphasis is placed on the roles of the director, teacher, staff and student teacher. The course will review leadership styles, methods and principles of supervising student teachers in early childhood programs. The course emphasizes the role of classroom teachers who function as mentors to new teachers while simultaneously addressing the needs of children, parents, and staff. This course identifies and examines the roles of supervisors, teachers, support staff, and the child and the family. Different styles of supervising are discussed and evaluated.

185 Directed Study - Child Development (1) CSU
285 Directed Study - Child Development (2) CSU
385 Directed Study - Child Development (3) CSU
These courses allow the student to pursue Directed Study in Child Development on a contract basis under the direction of a supervising instructor. Refer to the "Directed Study" section of this catalog for additional information.
NOTE: A maximum of 6 units in Directed Study may be taken for credit.

911 Cooperative Education - Child Development (1)
921 Cooperative Education - Child Development (2)
931 Cooperative Education - Child Development (3)
941 Cooperative Education - Child Development (4)
(See the "Cooperative Education" Section for guidelines.)

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