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. By completing the four courses in the order below, early learning educators can earn a 48-hour certificate and may be eligible for three hours of Prior Learning credit for CHD120 at Northern Virginia Community College.
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.
Explore the components of developmentally appropriate learning and best practices to support the individual needs of children. CDA Areas 1, 2, 8.
Examine the power of responsive relationships and effective communication strategies to support children's social and emotional development. CDA Areas 2, 3.
Explore strategies to communicate effectively with families and actively engage them in their child's ongoing learning. CDA Areas 1, 2, 3, 7, 8.
Early childhood educators who complete the 48-hour certificate program may be eligible to receive Prior Learning credit through Northern Virginia Community College. For more information about the 48-hour Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate Program, please email Institute for Early Learning at childcareclasses@fairfaxcounty.gov.