Three separate certificate programs are available as part of the Child Development department. Each certificate covers a different age range of Child Development, and many students opt to complete all three certificate programs. The Child Development certificates are part of the associate degree program.

Infant and Toddler Certificate Required Courses ECD 1001 Overview of Child Development ECD 1010 Child Care Issues and Program Practice ECD 1020 Guidance Issues for Child Care Staff ECD 1040 Infant and Toddler Development and Learning Experiences ECD 2010 Brain Development and Early Childhood ECD 2060 Integrating Children with Special Needs Total credits required: 17 Preschool Child Development Required Courses ECD 1001 Overview of Child Development ECD 1010 Child Care Issues and Program Practice ECD 1020 Guidance Issues for Child Care Staff ECD 1030 Preschool Development and Learning Experiences ECD 2010 Brain Development and Early Childhood ECD 2060 Integrating Children with Special Needs Total credits required: 17 School Age Child Development Required Courses ECD 1001 Overview of Child Development ECD 1020 Guidance Issues for Child Care Staff ECD 1050 School Age Development and Learning Experiences ECD 2010 Brain Development and Early Childhood ECD 2040 Literature and Language Development ECD 2060 Integrating Children with Special Needs Total credits required: 17

Course Descriptions
ECD 1001 Overview of Child Development
This course focuses on human development. It provides an overview of development from conception through adulthood, examining the patterns and theories of human development. Content will include physical, intellectual, and social emotional development with emphasis given to the periods of early childhood through late childhood. Knowledge of developmental stages will be integrated with developmentally appropriate practices in education and care settings.

ECD 1010 Child Care Issues and Program Practice
This course is for child care providers interested in learning more about child care as a profession, key elements include program management, and issues in family communications. Curriculum includes job descriptions, licensing requirements, developmentally appropriate learning environments, program routines, accreditation process, anti-bias program planning, reporting and planning for children with special needs.

ECD 1020 Guidance Issues for Child Care Staff
This course provides students with an overview of major theories, principles, and techniques of positive discipline. We will also examine the adult’s role and reflect on how our own unique experience with punishment, anger and control affect our discipline style.

ECD 1030 Preschool Development and Learning Experiences
This course provides an exploration of active learning environments for preschool-aged children. It includes the examination of physical, intellectual and social-emotional learning needs of children. Students apply their knowledge of child development to creating and guiding active learning in the child care setting.

ECD 1040 Infant and Toddler Development and Learning Experiences
This course provides an overview of infant/toddler theory and development in home or center-based settings. Students will integrate knowledge of developmental needs, developmentally appropriate environments, effective caregiving, teaching strategies, and observation methods.

ECD 1050 School Age Development and Learning Experiences
This course provides an overview of school-age theory and development in school, home, or center-based settings. Students will integrate knowledge of developmental needs, developmentally appropriate environments, effective caregiving, teaching strategies, and observation methods

ECD 2010 Brain Development and Early Childhood
This course assists childcare providers and individuals who provide services to young children and their families by using information about the brain to facilitate the growth and development of the young child.

ECD 2040 Literature and Language Development
This course provides an overview of language and literacy learning experiences in either home or center-based settings. Students integrate knowledge of child development, learning environments, and teaching methods to promote conversation, literature, literacy, and bi-lingualism.

ECD 2060 Integrating Children with Special Needs
This course examines the development of children with special needs and prepares caregivers to integrate children with special needs into child development settings.

Certificate requirements and courses are subject to change. Students should consult with an advisor/counselor when registering for courses.