Child Development - School-Age Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The School-Age Certificate is designed to be the first step toward entry level employment specializing in the care of children from 6-12 years. It prepares students for working in before and after-school programs or child care facilities that serve older children.

This Certificate meets the course and unit requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit with a School-Age Emphasis and the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Applications can be obtained through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Office. Students must complete fifty days, 3 hours per day to meet the 50 days of experience requirement for the CD School-Age Associate Teacher Permit.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Social Sciences and Human Development

Department

Child Development

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Public Service, Culture, Society

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Observe and assess the development of school-age children to understand typical and atypical development and learning and to create appropriate environments and curriculum.

  2. Create developmentally appropriate curriculum and written activity plans for school-age children using all developmental domains, multiple intelligences, and a variety of learning modalities.

  3. Develop a school-age before and after school program philosophy based good practice, health and safety, state regulations, and the developmental needs of school age children.

  4. Describe, analyze and use inclusive, equitable, antibias and antiracist teaching practices and family interactions in school-age environments.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

Term 1

12 units
CD 160 - Middle Childhood Development

In this course students examine the processes of child development during the middle childhood years from 6 to 12 years.  This course is designed to prepare students with a thorough understanding of how school-age children change as they develop and to also give students an appreciation for the diverse sources of influence on development.  This course includes the study of developmental theories and the practical implications of those theories. Students will be introduced to broad substantive areas related to learning and teaching.  (Formerly CD 060)

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
  2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
  3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
CD 061 - Activities for School-Age Children

This course is a survey of programs and activity planning for school-age children, including both before-and after-school activities for groups and individuals.  Inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices in school age programs are emphasized.  

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
CD 105 or CD 105H

This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories.  

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
    2. or
  2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
  3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
  • Transfers to CSU
    • OR

    This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories.  This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

     

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL C1000H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 113 - Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

    This course examines the historical and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practices in early care and education for children from birth through age eight. Typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators are explored. Professional ethics, career pathways and professional standards are identified. Students learn best practices for developmentally and culturally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children, including how play contributes to children's learning, growth and development. 

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
    2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
    3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
  • Transfers to CSU

    • Term 2

    12 units
    CD 114 - Introduction to Curriculum

    This course presents an overview of developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children from birth through eight.  Students use knowledge of children's development, theories of learning and development, culturally respectful practices and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice, to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children's development and learning integrated throughout the indoor and outdoor settings.  

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: CD 105
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: CD 105H
    3. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
    4. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
    5. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 126 - Child, Family, and the Community

    This course examines the processes of socialization, focusing on the interrelationships of family, school, and community.  Multiple societal contexts are examined.  The course explores the role of the collaboration between family, community and schools in supporting children's development, from birth through adolescence.  

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
    2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
    3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 127 - Guidance of Children
    This course presents a developmental approach to the guidance and discipline of children. Effective guidance theories and methods are presented for teachers and professionals working with children, including children with special needs.  Effective communication methods for early childhood educators working with children and their parents will be emphasized. 

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
      2. or
    2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
    3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
    CD 138 - Teaching in a Diverse Society

    This course is an examination of the historical and current perspectives on diversity and inclusion and the impact of systemic societal influences on children's development, learning and school experiences.  Strategies for developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate anti-bias curriculum are explored, as well as approaches to promote inclusive and anti-racist classroom communities.  The course includes self-reflection on the influence of a teacher's own culture and life experiences on teaching and interactions with children and families.  

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000
    2. Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000H
    3. Departmental Recommendation: READ 100
  • Transfers to CSU