Child Development - Infant and Toddler Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The Infant/Toddler Certificate is designed to be the first step toward obtaining entry-level employment specializing in infant/toddler care. Students will be prepared to work with infants/toddlers (0-36 months) enabling the student to assist a teacher in a public infant/toddler program or teach infants/toddlers in a private child care setting. The Infant/Toddler Certificate requires 25 CD units, which includes four units of CD Practicum/Field Work experience with infants/toddlers.

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, Human Development, Kinesiology & Health

Department

Child Development

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Public Service, Culture, Society

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify and assess patterns of typical and atypical development for infants and toddlers.

  2. Observe and assess components of infant and toddler environments and compare with high quality components, health and safety & licensing regulations, foundations and guidelines.

  3. Observe and assess development of infants and toddlers and plan and create individual curriculum to meet the unique needs of each child.

  4. Develop strategies to form partnerships with parents and identify local resources for families of infants and toddlers.

  5. Create a developmentally appropriate philosophy for working with infants and toddlers in groups based on best practices and current research.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

9 units
CD 105 or CD 105H
This introductory course examines the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    2. or
  2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • OR

    This introductory course examines the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. 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 101
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: ENGL 101H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 126 - Child, Family, and the Community
    This course examines the developing child in a societal context which focuses on the interrelationships of family, school, and community and emphasizes historical and socio-cultural factors. The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • 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 Advisory: ENGL 101
      2. or
    2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H

    2nd Semester

    12 units
    CD 111 - Observation and Assessment in Child Development
    This course focuses on the appropriate use of a variety of assessment and observation strategies to document child development and behavior. Child observations are conducted and analyzed.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    2. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CD 105
    3. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CD 105H
  • Transfers to CSU
    • CD 244 - Children with Special Needs
    This course introduces the physical, social, emotional and intellectual characteristics of children with disabilities and other special needs.  It covers teaching strategies that are sensitive to children with special needs and their families, as well as the legal requirements of educating children with disabilities or other special needs.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: CD 105
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: CD 105H
    3. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    CD 185 - Infant/Toddler Growth and Development
    This course explores the physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development of children from birth to age three. It fulfills the California licensing requirements for infant center personnel and includes infant/toddler interactions and curriculum.

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    CD 186 - Infant and Toddler Curriculum
    This course is a survey of program and curriculum planning for infants and toddlers child care and education settings, including early intervention and inclusive programs, emphasizing curriculum and principles and practices of quality care and developmentally appropriate practices specific to infants, toddlers and two-year-old children, birth to three years.   

    Course Details:

    1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015

    3rd Semerster

    4 units
    CD 205 or CD 210
    In this supervised field work course, students practice and demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of ECE/CD faculty and mentor teachers. Students utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build comprehensive understanding of children and families. Child centered, play-oriented approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment, and knowledge of curriculum content areas are emphasized. Student teachers design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development for all young children.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: CD 105
      2. or
    2. Prerequisite: CD 105H
    3. Prerequisite: CD 113
    4. Prerequisite: CD 114
    5. Prerequisite: CD 126
    6. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
  • Transfers to CSU
    • OR
    This supervised field experience course guides students in applying learned theory into classroom practice and promotes the development of teaching competencies with infants and toddlers at the SBVC Child Development Infant Center or with an approved mentor teacher. The emphasis is on developing appropriate individual programs for infants and toddlers, as well as professional ethics and cooperative relationships with staff, parents and children.

    Course Details:

    1. Prerequisite: CD 185
    2. Prerequisite: CD 105
      3. or
    3. Prerequisite: CD 105H
    4. Departmental Advisory: READ 015