Early Childhood Education Infants/Toddler Certificate (C55290)

The curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy to three years of age in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories, competency-based knowledge, and practice in actual settings with infants and toddlers.

Course work includes infant/toddler growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of infants and toddlers; safety issues in the care of infants and toddlers; care and guidance; communication skills with families and children; design and implementation of appropriate curriculum; and other related topics.

Graduates should be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate infant/toddler programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start Programs, and other infant/toddler programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

1. Apply developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for all young children (including curriculum, interactions, teaching practices, and learning materials). NAEYC Standard 1
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse family and community characteristics by involving families and communities in many aspects of children’s development and learning. NAEYC Standard 2
3. Generate and employ a broad repertoire of effective strategies and tools, based on research and linked to the process of early development and learning, to help young children learn and develop well; consequently developing a habit of reflective, responsive, and intentional practice to promote positive outcomes for each child. NAEYC Standard 4