Course Offerings

This exciting course is designed to provide you with a working knowledge of early childhood education and prepare you for the Child Development Associate® (CDA) certification process of the Council for Professional Recognition with content review, assessment practice, and portfolio preparation. The course will include a thorough introduction to early childhood education. Topics covered include how children learn and grow, safe and healthy environments, physical and cognitive growth, social and emotional development, guidance, relationships with families, creativity and the young child, play, research-based planning of developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculums, and activities, program management, and professionalism. With an integrated approach to child development, students will learn the principles of child growth and development from birth through age five and how they align with the eight CDA competencies and National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) professional standards. In a guided step-by-step process, you will culminate your learning experience by gathering all your assignments to build a portfolio and receiving instructor feedback from a certified CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist™ to be well prepared for the CDA Verification Visit. Upon course completion, you will be ready for your early childhood education certification. Our Child Development Associate course offers a unique opportunity to learn two pathways for the price of one, teaching both infant/toddler and preschool-age topics and techniques. Moreover, within two years of completing this comprehensive online course, you are eligible to receive assistance in preparing for your second pathway certification, including portfolio preparation and exam practice questions.

Course Objectives

Evaluate and make recommendations for modifications of regulations regarding children's health, safety, and learning environments.

Identify typical stages of cognitive, linguistic, physical, social, and emotional development.

Develop a list of developmentally appropriate activities and materials that encourage physical, linguistic, cognitive, creative, social, and emotional development in children from birth to age five.

Demonstrate skills in practical application of developmental principles and theories, observation techniques, and recognition of growth and development patterns.

Prepare to become a certified child development associate professional.

Outline of Instruction

Getting Started

How to Take This Course

Why Earn a Child Development Certification?

The Portfolio Introduction

Principles of Child Development and Learning

Planning a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment

Advancing Children's Physical and Intellectual Development

Supporting Children's Social and Emotional Development

Building Productive Relationships with Families

Managing an Effective Program

Observing and Recording Children's Behavior

Achieving High-Quality Care

Final Portfolio Review

CDA Prep and Taking Your Exam

Employability

Final Exam

Resources

Contact Hours

120

CEUs

No

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

None

Website

None

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Learning Supplies Needed

Hardware Requirements:
This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:
PC: Windows 10 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Microsoft Word Online
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:
Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
Competency Standards for Center-Based Preschool ages 3-5 yrs old
Infant-Toddler Competency Standards Book
Reading assignments in each lesson will be linked to the following eBook(s) for the designated reading:
Beginning Essentials in Early Childhood Education, 3rd edition, by Ann Gordon, Kathryn Williams Browne (eBook)
Infants & Toddlers: Caregiving and Responsive Curriculum Development, 10th edition, by Terri Swim (eBook)

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

None

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

If you are interested in learning of how to become a Child Development Associate this course is for you!

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

N/A

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

N/A

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

Related Courses

Course Contact Information

Courtney Boney
919-532-5581
[email protected]