There are four courses in the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program. These four courses explore developmentally appropriate approaches to early education and provide many opportunities for educators to integrate knowledge and strategies into their daily practice.
Early childhood educators who complete this 48-hour certificate program may be eligible for three hours of prior learning credit for CHD120 through Northern Virginia Community College.
COURSE 1: Introduction to Early Childhood - Child Development (12 credit hours)
Explore the foundations of child development including basic milestones, patterns and variability in child development. Examine how the domains of development interconnect and recognize the predictable ways children grow and learn. Discover the biological and cultural factors that influence development and learn the powerful role adults have in promoting child development. Learn how to observe children and understand how they learn through play. CDA Areas 7, 8.
COURSE 2: Introduction to Early Childhood - Learning Environments (12 credit hours)
Explore the components of developmentally appropriate learning and best practices to support the individual needs of children. CDA Areas 1, 2, 8.
COURSE 3: Introduction to Early Childhood - Effective Interactions (12 credit hours)
Examine the power of responsive relationships and effective communication strategies to support children's social and emotional development. CDA Areas 2, 3.
COURSE 4: Introduction to Early Childhood - Family Partnerships (12 credit hours)
Explore strategies to communicate effectively with families and actively engage them in their child's ongoing learning. CDA Areas 1, 2, 3, 7, 8.
