Child Development

The Santa Ana College Online Degree Pathway programs offers the following certificates in the field of Child Development

The Santa Ana College Online Degree Pathway programs offers the following certificates in the field of Business Applications & Technology

• Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for Young Children: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)
• Early Childhood Assistant Teacher: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)
• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) for Early Childhood Educators: (Hybrid) Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)
• Support for Students with Special Needs: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)
• Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

 

Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for the Young Child: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

The Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for the Young Child Certificate is designed for early childhood educators, teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and caregivers who work with children from birth to eight years of age. Based on current brain research, child development, and developmentally appropriate practices, this certificate provides a foundation for developmentally appropriate discipline and guidance practices for young children. The certificate curriculum integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) and aligns to research based teaching strategies and practices in the discipline and guidance of young children. This certification program has been specifically designed for the adult learner who desires to positively change the lives of children through developmentally appropriate teaching, discipline and guidance practices in the classroom.

1st Semester: Fall		​Course Number	​Course Name	​Units
​First 8 Weeks		​CDEV 107	​Child Growth & Development	​3
​Second 8 Weeks		​CDEV 229	​Brain Development & Learning	​2
​16 Weeks		​CDEV 297	​​Analyzing & Applying Teacher Strategies in the Classroom	​3

 

​2nd Semester: Spring	​Course Numbers	​Course Name	​Units
​First 8 Weeks	​CDEV 230	​Child Guidance & Classroom Management	​2
​	​	Total Units	​10

 

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

This Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Certificate is the first step to building a career working with children and families. Introductory coursework will provide students with knowledge about the comprehensive development of young children. Students will have the opportunity to observe preschool children and learn about the important resources available to children and families. This certificate is available for early childhood educators, parents, administrators and health care professionals. These courses and requirements will also qualify students to apply for the California Assistant Teacher Permit, which is used in federal and state early childhood programs as well as licensing regulations for private and faith based programs. After completing this certificate, students should consider completing the general education requirements for the AA Degree in Child Development with an Emphasis in Preschool-Age Care and
Development.

​Fall Semester	​Course Number	​Course Name	​Units
​First 8 Weeks	​CDEV 107	​Child Growth & Development	​3
​First 8 Weeks	​CDEV 110	​Child, Family & Community	​3
​Second 8 Weeks	​CDEV 108	​Observation & Assessment for Early Learning & Development	​3
​	​	​Total Units	​9

 

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) for Early Childhood Educators (Hybrid): Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

The purpose of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Certificate for Early Childhood Educators is to empower teachers to employ a project-based learning approach that crosses all of these disciplines in solving everyday problems. This approach aligns with Common Core Standards and has been shown to engage students and allow them to use both left and right- brained thinking in the same exercise. This certificate provides a strong researched-based curricular foundation with immediate practical classroom applications. Additionally, the STEAM certificate can be used towards earning professional growth hours for the child development permit.

1st Semester: Summer	Course Number	Course Name	Units
	CDEV 214 (Hybrid)	Creative Art Experiences for Children	2
	CDEV 232 (Hybrid)	Math and Science Methods for Early Learning Environments	2

 

2nd Semester: Fall	Course Number	Course Name	Units
	CDEV 200	Introduction to Technology in Early Childhood Education	2
	CDEV 229	Brain Development and Learning	2

 

3rd Semester: Spring	Course Number	Course Name	Units
	CDEV 231	Developing Language and Literacy in Young Children	3
​	​CDEV 210 (Hybrid)	​Creative Music Experiences for Young Children	​2
		Total units:	13.0

 

Support for Students with Special Needs: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

1st Semester: Fall	Course Number	Course Name	Units
First 8 Weeks	CDEV 205	Introduction to Children with Special Needs	3
Second 8 Weeks
	CDEV 206	Curriculum and Intervention Strategies	3

 

2nd Semester: Spring	Course Number	Course Name	Units
First 8 Weeks	CDEV 207	Supporting and Empowering Families of Childhood with Special Needs	3
		Total Units	9

 

Trauma-Informed Practices in Education: Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted)

The Trauma Informed Practices in Education Certificate is designed to prepare students to support and promote social-emotional competence in young children. Students acquire knowledge to integrate developmentally appropriate cognitive and social-emotional support strategies and skills to meet children’s diverse mental health needs. They are taught culturally responsive behavior and discipline techniques, practical prevention and intervention strategies, and brain appropriate curriculum. Students will identify mental health community resources to help create and build respectful, reciprocal relationships that support children’s mental health and the families they serve.

​1st Semester: Fall	​Course Number	​Course Name	​Units
First 8 Weeks	​CDEV 221	​Living & Teaching in a Diverse Society	​3
​Second 8 Weeks	​CDEV 229	​Developing & Learning	​2
​16 Weeks	​CDEV 297	​​Analyzing & Applying Teacher Strategies in the Classroom	3​