Child Development and Family Studies
The Child Development and Family Studies Program prepares students for professional work with young children between the ages of birth to six years. Additionally, students are prepared to work with families from diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Upon graduation, students will have opportunities to pursue positions as childcare practitioners in child development centers and family learning centers; as teachers in private school settings, Early Head Start and Head Start Programs and as parent educators in learning centers. Also partnered with T.E.A.C.H Scholarship Program.
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Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of child development theories, developmental milestones and strategies that are developmentally appropriate. 1.1 Students will demonstrate the knowledge of child development and apply developmentally appropriate strategies in a safe and healthy environment.
1.2 Students will demonstrate observation and documentation skills in order to determine the developmental needs of young children and plan activities in specific developmental domains.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the value of and the cultural competency in building relationships with families and awareness of parent education as well as community resources for the families in diverse settings. 2.1 Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate to parents in culturally sensitive ways on developmental milestones.
2.2 Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate to parents in culturally sensitive ways on child development and provide parent resources and programs offered in the internship setting.
3. Students will demonstrate professional growth by developing a professional philosophy and goals as well as knowledge of the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics and Ethical Principles of Early Care and Education. 3.1 Students will self-reflect on the internship experience and show professional growth by developing a professional philosophy and goals as well as self-reflection demonstrating growth.
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General education requirements for this major consist of coursework in liberal arts thus establishing a broad knowledge base prior to professional coursework. The professional sequence provides knowledge, skills and dispositions in child development, curriculum and assessment of children from birth to six years of age.
Professional courses also include effective ways to communicate and work with families of young children.
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Upon graduation, students will have opportunities to pursue positions as childcare practitioners in child development centers and family learning centers; as teachers in private school settings, Early Head Start and Head Start Programs and as parent educators in learning centers.
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After completion of the major coursework, students have a semester long internship in the Child Development or Family Studies focus areas.