Child Development

REQUIREMENTS for Degrees / Certificates

Courses are designed to partially meet lower division course preparation for students planning a bachelor’s degree in Child Development.

Course work meets the educational components of the Department of Social Services license regulations for child care programs.

The courses are also appropriate for parents, administrators, health care professionals and others working with children.

Review the Cuyamaca Catalog class descriptions and the  Degrees/Certificates PDFs for additional details.

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The major consists of 27 units of core curriculum; remaining units are taken in an area of emphasis. Students must choose at least one area of emphasis.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements:

Course	Name	Units
CD-123	Introduction to programs and curriculum for young children	3
CD-125	Child growth and development	3
CD-126	Art for child development	3
CD-127	Science and mathematics for child development	3
CD-128	Music and movement for child development	3
CD-129	Language and literature for child development	3
CD-131	Child, family and community	3
CD-134	Health, safety and nutrition for teachers of  young children	3
CD-141	Working with children with special needs	3

CHOOSE ONE OF THESE  TWO AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Infants and Toddlers:

Course	Name	Units
CD-124	Infant and toddler development	3
CD-132	Field experience seminar	3
CD-143	Infant/toddler curriculum	3
CD-170	Field experience with infants and toddlers	2

Preschool Children:

Course	Name	Units
CD-130	Curriculum: Developmentally appropriate practices	3
CD-132	Field experience seminar	3
CD-133	Field experience for child development	2

Students who complete the courses required for the major, including an area of emphasis, qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Child Development in that area of emphasis.

RECOMMNDED ELECTIVES & CONTINUING EDUCATION

Course	Name	Units
CD-124	Infant and toddler development	3
CD-135	Parent-child interaction	3
CD-139	Infant/parent development	2
CD-145	Child abuse and family violence in our society	3
CD-157	Food and nutrition for children	3

 

Designed to prepare students for employment in child care programs for elementary school age children. Certificate requirements meet the Title 22 licensing standards for teachers in school age child care programs. Some courses also meet prerequisites for students who wish to transfer to elementary education programs.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements:

Course	Name	Units
CD-125	Child growth and development	3
CD-131	Child, family and community	3
CD-132	Field experience seminar	3
CD-134	Health, safety and nutrition for teachers of  young children	3
CD-148	Curriculum for school age child care	3
CD-149	School age child care program planning	3
CD-150	Field experience for school age child care	2

Select one:

Course	Name	Units
CD-137	Administration of child development programs I	3
CD-141	Working with children with special needs	3
CD-145	Child abuse and family violence in our society	3
CD-157	Food and nutrition for children	3
ED-110	Introduction to American Education	3
ES-253	Physical Education in Elementary Schools	3
MATH-125	Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics I	3
MATH-126	Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics II	3
MUS-118	Introduction to Music	4

Students who complete the courses required for the major qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in School Age Child Care.

 

EARLYCHILDHOOD INTERVENTION:

This certificate prepares students for entry-level positions and greater opportunities for advancement in the early childhood field.

It is designed to demonstrate an area of expertise in working with young children with special needs in typical early childhood programs and programs specifically designed for young children with special needs.

Students completing the certificate may find employment as an inclusion specialist, inclusion aide, or intervention assistant in a wide variety of programs serving young children with special needs.

These programs include but are not limited to:

Head Start	Intervention programs
State preschools	Home visit programs
Special day classes	Community-based programs such as park, recreation and camping programs
	Faith-based early childhood programs

Course	Name	Units
CD-125	Child growth and development	3
CD-134	Health, safety and nutrition for teachers of  young children	3
CD-141	Working with children with special needs	3

Select 2:

Course	Name	Units
CD-126	Art for child development	3
CD-127	Science and mathematics for child development	3
CD-128	Music and movement for child development	3
CD-129	Language and literature for child development	3
CD-131	Child, family and community	3

RECREATIONAL LEADERSHIP–OUTDOOR PROGRAMS

This certificate offers specific training for an entry-level position or for advancement in child care and outdoor programs for children and families. It is designed to demonstrate an area of expertise that may be used to attain employment in outdoor recreational programs.

Students who complete the requirements below and hold a current First Aid/CPR certification qualify for the certificate.

Students completing the certificate may find employment with school age child care programs and with public, private and commercial park and recreation agencies. They may work with agencies serving youth and families, and with leisure-related businesses and tourism agencies.

Career opportunities include:

Naturalists	Camping guides
Outdoor education specialists	Arts and crafts leaders
Park interpreters	Park and recreation class teachers and aides

Course	Name	Units
CD-125	Child growth and development	3
CD-157	Food and nutrition for children	3
CD-200	Introduction to outdoor education programs	1
CD-201	Creative activities for outdoor programs	1
CD-202	Field experience for recreational leadership	1
ES-253	Physical Education in Elementary Schools	3
ES-270	Cooperative Games 1	1

NOTE: Course choices for transfer and the Associate Degree may differ between Cuyamaca and Grossmont Colleges. Each college strongly recommends
that students visit the Counseling Centers for specific information if they plan to attend both campuses.

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General Education Requirements

To earn your AA or AS degree, or to move on to higher education, you must also complete the General Education Requirements.  Because there are occasional updates, check with a counselor for the most current information.