About this course
Our online Child Day Care Specialist Program covers the basics of early education and positive guidance strategies to enhance physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and creativity development while introducing the unique qualities of the young child as distinguished from older children and demonstrating how to work with young children in ways that correspond with their individual developmental level and social and cultural environment.
Early Childhood Development
Early Child Development introduces the unique qualities of the young child as distinguished from older children and demonstrates how to work with young children in ways that correspond with their individual developmental level and social and cultural environment.
In each module, critical social and cultural factors are related to young children's development; factors relevant to working with children with special needs are integrated throughout. Popular theoretical views of learning are included, as well as information about the importance of play and technology in a young child's learning process.
Other areas covered include developmentally appropriate practice, readiness, assessment, the importance of working with children and families from diverse cultures, the development of early stages of reading, and the importance of brain development. Throughout the course, real-life examples and anecdotes bring theory and research to life.
Child Care Worker
Love working with children and want to learn techniques for supporting their development? Our Child Care Worker course provides practical advice to prepare you for your role as an educator of young children. Learn the principles of providing ultimate learning environments, developing engaging curricula for various developmental stages, meeting children's social-emotional needs and interests, and communicating and interacting with parents and staff professionally. This course covers the historical influences on early childhood education as well as quality standards for programs and types of curriculum methods. It also includes learning strategies and guidance to enhance physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and creativity development.
Early Childhood Development
Early Childhood Development Module 1
The Young Child: Birth Through Age 8
- A Brief Look at the Young Child
- Developmental and Learning Theories
- Studying the Young Child
Early Childhood Development Module 2
Learning: Birth Through Age 8
- How Learning Takes Place
- Learning Through Play
- The Adult Role in Learning: General Characteristics
- The Adult Role in Learning: Family and Sociocultural Factors
Early Childhood Development Module 3
Prenatal, Infancy and Toddlers Development
- Conception and Prenatal Development
- Heredity, Environment and Development
- Birth and the First Two Weeks
- Infancy: Theory, Environment and Culture
- Infancy: Affective Development
- Infancy: Cognitive Development
Early Childhood Development Module 4
The Toddler Developing Toward Independence
- The Toddler: Autonomy
- The Toddler: Physical and Motor Development
- The Toddler: Affective Development
- The Toddler: Cognitive Development
Early Childhood Development Module 5
Physical and Motor Development Age Three to Six
- Physical Development
- Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Motor Development
Early Childhood Development Module 6
Cognitive Growth and Development Age Three to Six
- The Cognitive System
- Concept Development
- Language Development
- Language in Everyday Use: Oral Language
- Written Language Development
- Intelligence and Creativity
- The Adult Role and Cognitive Development
Early Childhood Development Module 7
Affective Growth and Development Age Three to Six
- The Nature of Affective Development
- Social Development
- The Adult Role in Affective Development
Early Childhood Development Module 8
Age Six to Eight Development
- Preschool to Primary: Bridging the Gap
- Continuity in Education
- Concept of School Readiness
- The Primary Child: Affective Development
- Social Interaction in Primary Classrooms
- Self-Esteem and Moral Development
- Cognitive Development and Schooling
- Moving From Concrete to Symbolic Thinking
- Computers in School
Early Childhood Development Module 9
The Whole Child
- A Look at the Whole Child
- Action for Children
**Outlines are subject to change, as courses and materials are updated.**
Child Care Worker
Child Care Worker Module 1
Historical Influence on Early Care and Education
- Learning from the Past
- Public Schooling in America
- The Kindergarten Movement
- Nursery School Movements
- Early Twentieth Century Schooling
- Brown vs. Board of Education
- Mid-Twentieth Century Schooling
- Establishment of Head Start
- Universal Pre-K
Child Care Worker Module 2
Quality Standards for Early Childhood Programs
- Dual Approach to Setting Standards
- National and State Standards
- Standards and Accountability
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Early Learning Standards
- State Funded Programs
- Methods of Assessment
- Evaluation for Educators
- Measure Outcomes with Observation
Child Care Worker Module 3
Understanding the Development of Young Children
- The Study of Child Development
- Developmental Domains
- The Physical Domain
- Gross Motor Development
- The Cognitive Domain
- Three Types of Knowledge
- The Affective Domain
- Emotional Development
- Social Development
- Moral Development
Child Care Worker Module 4
Contemporary Curriculum Approaches
- Curriculum Development
- Curriculum Models for Developmentally Appropriate Practices
- Learning Environments and Pedagogy
- Montessori Method
- Reggio Emilia Approach
- Direct Instruction
- High/Scope Approach
- Creative Curriculum
- Project Approach
Child Care Worker Module 5
Supporting Play and Learning during Early Childhood
- The Importance of Play
- Characteristics of Play
- Classical Theories of Play
- Contemporary Theories of Play
- Symbolic Play
- Constructive Play
- Games with Rules
- Teacher's Role in Supporting Play
Child Care Worker Module 6
Exploring Learning Theories and Teaching Strategies
- Intentional Teaching
- Constructivist Theory
- Socio-Cultural Theory
- Behaviorist Theory
- Multiple Intelligences Theory
- Learning Styles Theory
- Information Processing Theory
- Teacher Centered Teaching Strategies
- Learner Centered Teaching Strategies
Child Care Worker Module 7
Effective Learning Environments for Young Children
- Thinking Expansively About Environments
- Quality Learning Environments
- Physical Learning Environment
- Temporal Learning Environment
- Interpersonal Learning Environment
- National and State Regulations and Standards
- State Quality Rating
- Accreditation Standards
- Environmental Rating Scales
Child Care Worker Module 8
Connecting with Families and Communities
- The Adults in Children's Lives
- Bioecological Theory of Human Development
- Parents as Partners
- Home-School Partnerships
- Tips, Strategies and Plans for Caregivers and Teachers
- Teachers, Caregivers and the Community
- Community Within School or Center
- Collaboration and Communication
Child Care Worker Module 9
Issues and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
- Social Issues in the ECE Realm
- Advocating for Young Children
- Technology and Young Children
- Pros and Cons of Technology Use in Classroom
- The Obesity Epidemic
- Nutrition and Exercise
- Poverty and Young Children
- Cultural Diversity
Child Care Worker Module 10
Discovering Careers in Early Childhood Education
- Why Teach Young Children?
- Early Care and Education as a Profession
- Professionalism
- Career Options
- Unusual Career Choices
- Dispositions and Their Importance
- Men as Teachers of Young Children
- Why Men Are Needed in the Classroom
