Early Childhood Education Social-Emotional Development Certificate (C55220C6)

Program Description

This curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth to 8 years old. Students will combine learned theories, competency-based knowledge, and practice to support the social-emotional needs of young children.

Coursework includes child growth and development, care and guidance; communication skills with families and children; design and implementation of inclusive curriculum and learning environment; observation and documentation of development and learning to support the child and family or to make informed decisions about referrals for services, and understanding and supporting children with individualized family service plans and educational plans.

Graduates should be prepared to complete field experiences in an early learning program. Employment opportunities include intervention technicians, child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and other early childhood programs.

Fall Semester

Course	Class Hours	Credits
EDU 119 - Introduction to Early ChildhoodEducation EDU 119 - Introduction to Early ChildhoodEducation This course introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, guidance techniques, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to implement developmentally appropriate environments, guidance techniques, schedules, and teaching strategies across developmental domains to support culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families in inclusive settings, and design a personal career/professional development plan. Class: 4.00 Credits: 4.00	4.00	4.00
EDU 144 - Child Development I EDU 144 - Child Development I This course includes the theories of child development, observation and assessment, milestones, and factors that influence development, from conception through approximately 36 months. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, observation and assessment of developmental sequences in approaches to play/learning, emotional/social, health/physical, language/communication and cognitive domains. Upon completion, students should be able to compare/contrast typical/atypical developmental characteristics, explain biological and environmental factors that impact development, and identify evidence-based strategies for enhancing development for children that are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse. Class: 3.00 Credits: 3.00	3.00	3.00
EDU 145 - Child Development II EDU 145 - Child Development II This course includes the theories of child development, observation and assessment, milestones, and factors that influence development, from preschool through middle childhood. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, observation and assessment of developmental sequences in approaches to play/learning, emotional/social, health/physical, language/communication and cognitive domains. Upon completion, students should be able to compare/contrast typical/atypical developmental characteristics, explain biological and environmental factors that impact development, and identify evidence-based strategies for enhancing development for children that are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse. Class: 3.00 Credits: 3.00	3.00	3.00
EDU 146 - Child Guidance EDU 146 - Child Guidance This course introduces evidence-based strategies to build nurturing relationships with each child by applying principles and practical techniques to facilitate developmentally appropriate guidance. Topics include designing responsive/supportive learning environments, cultural, linguistic and socio-economic influences on behavior, appropriate expectations, the importance of communication with children/families including using technology and the use of formative assessments in establishing intentional strategies for children with unique needs. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate direct/indirect strategies to encourage social skills, self-regulation, emotional expression and positive behaviors while recognizing the relationship between children's social, emotional and cognitive development. Class: 3.00 Credits: 3.00	3.00	3.00
EDU 154 - Social/Emotion/Behavior Development EDU 154 - Social/Emotion/Behavior Development This course covers the emotional/social development of young children and the varied causes, expressions, prevention methods and management strategies of challenging behaviors. Emphasis is placed on culturally responsive and supportive caregiver/family/child relationships, positive emotional/social environments, developmental concerns, risk factors, and planning culturally responsive, equitable, developmentally appropriate intervention strategies. Upon completion, students should be able to identify factors that influence emotional/social development, utilize screening measures, and design positive behavioral supports for children and the environment, as well as effective teaching strategies. Class: 3.00 Credits: 3.00	3.00	3.00
		Total: 16

Upon completion of the EDU-119 course within the certificate shown above, students who have earned a C or better are eligible to apply for the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC). Applications for the credential are available through the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education. See your advisor for more details.

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