Mar 29, 2024  
2013-14 Catalog 
    
2013-14 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate Certificate


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Program Design

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential training program is a two-semester, 12-credit program for child care teachers who want to enhance their professional skills and learn more about the development of young children. The program emphasizes practical information that can be used in working with young children. Students learn how to observe children and plan developmentally appropriate activities and to design safe, healthy learning environments. They learn to work effectively with families, and to support and encourage children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.

Curriculum

Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to enroll in the CDA certificate program: they must be 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, be currently employed or regularly volunteer in a state-licensed child care program, meet state immunization requirements and successfully complete an interview with the CDA program coordinator.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all Child Development Associate certificate program requirements, graduates will

  1. Support young children in early childhood programs using skills in observation, documentation, assessment and application.
  2. Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate lesson/activity plans that foster children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development and involve families.
  3. Demonstrate effective teaching strategies in an early childhood program, based upon child development theory and family involvement principles, which include setting up the learning environment; letting children practice skills and ideas; interacting positively with children, colleagues, and families; and modeling behavior we want children to emulate.
  4. Evaluate the quality of an early childhood program through curriculum activities, routines, and teacher and child engagement; the learning environment; teacher/child interaction; and family involvement.

Total Credits Required: 12


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