Early Childhood Development Courses
These courses are designed to satisfy the recommendations of the Department of Social Services, Title 22, regarding child care personnel and the higher standards required by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Licensing for the Child Development Permit, Title 22.
ECD 15 - Problems of Childhood (3 units)
An exploration of the emotional, cognitive, developmental, and behavioral problems of childhood and adolescence. Topics include: common stresses and problems of adjustment; the effects of stress, abuse, and traumas on development; mental retardation, autism and other developmental disabilities; normal and abnormal problems of attention, conduct, mood anxiety, sleep, eating, sex, learning and speech. Examination of theories of cause of mental health problems in children and adolescents and approaches to treatment. Examination of information and theory for practical application. Students who have completed or are enrolled in Psychology 15 may not receive credit. 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 50 - Early Childhood Education and Care (3 units)
Historical and contemporary systems of Early Childhood group care, career opportunities, licensing requirements, personal qualifications, differing orientations to early childhood education, developmental stages of young children as related to quality programs with developmentally appropriate curriculum. 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 51 - Prenatal to Early Childhood (3 units)
Development of the child from prenatal life to early childhood; developmental characteristics, influences affecting development in prenatal life and infancy; individual differences; physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development. Emphasis on scientific method, research strategies, historical overview, social and cultural context, methods of observing children, and theories. 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU, UC
ECD 52 - Childhood and Adolescence (3 units)
Development of the child from elementary school age through adolescence; physical, intellectual, social and personality factors. Emphasis on the continuity, observation, scientific methods, and stages of development. 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU, UC
ECD 53 - Emergency Care and Preventative Health for Infants and Children (1 unit)
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid principles and prevention of disease transmission for adults, infants and children. Designed for early childhood development majors. 1 hour. Grading Option: OP (May be repeated 3 times)
ECD 55 - The Professional Caregiver (2 units)
Analysis of motives, goals, qualifications, competencies and attitudes of the successful professional and relationships with clients; includes individual assessments and strategies for career success. Strongly Recommended: Early Childhood Development 50. 2 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 60 - Teaching Special Needs Infants and Preschoolers (3 units)
Introduction to early childhood education for the special needs infant and preschooler. Developmental characteristics and abilities found in infants and preschoolers identified as “at risk” or handicapped. Instructional methods, assessments, interventions, learning and mainstreaming environments for the special needs infant and preschooler. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 51 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 61 - Literature for the Young Child (3 units)
Selection, evaluation and use of fiction, non-fiction, prose and poetry from existing written and or recorded children’s literature for appropriate class presentation. Includes puppets, flannel boards and props. Role of books in early literacy. 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSUECD 62 - Child, Family and Community (3 units)
Patterns of family living in contemporary society including the varying roles and interactions of family members; demographic, sociocultural, racial and economic factors affecting family life; relationship of the family to early care and education and to community resources. 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 63 - Early Childhood Curriculum (4 units)
Professional application of the principles of human growth and development in: the study of play based curriculum, the physical environment and learning experiences including program content, the use of materials, the facilitation and guidance of children’s experiences based on developmentally appropriate principles, the methods used to meet children’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and creative needs within cultural context. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 50 and Early Childhood Development 51 (both completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 4 hours lecture or 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 64 - Play: Materials and Environments (3 units)
Application of principles of human growth and development in the consideration of play materials and environments for children from birth though early elementary. The selection and development of play materials and environments that are developmentally, culturally, and age-appropriate. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 51 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 65 - Administration (3 units)
An overview of administrative principles and practices of Early Care and Education facilities; program planning, organizational structures, financial management, personnel policies, records; nutrition program and food purchasing; relationships with families, community, and regulatory agencies; requirements of State and Federal programs; legal and ethical issues. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 62 and Early Childhood Development 63 (both completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 67 - Infant and Toddler Development and Caregiving (3 units)
Analysis of child development with emphasis on infants and toddlers. Observation of current practices in infant\toddler care giving in group settings in both centers and family day care homes. Assessments and planning of care giving techniques and environments based on principles of human development, health and safety, and legal requirements. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 50 and Early Childhood Development 51 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 68 - Program Supervision (3 units)
Management of Early Care and Education programs which includes: Strategic planning, group dynamics, supervision of staff and volunteers, development of motivation and morale, leadership skills, functions of personnel, interviewing techniques, interpersonal and group conflicts, staff evaluations, and working effectively with families and advisory boards. Designed to provide knowledge of methods and principles of working with adults in a supervisory capacity in Early Care and Education settings. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 62 and Early Childhood Development 63 (both completed with a grade of “C” or higher.) 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 70 - Family Child Care Profession (2 units)
This course will focus on all aspects of setting up and operating a family child care home business. The course explores creation of an optimum child care environment, relationships with the child’s parents, the impact of child care on the provider’s family, and the relationship between family child care homes and centers. 2 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 71 - Creative Programming for Family Child Care (1 unit)
The focus for this course is on increasing the practical skills necessary for working with young children in a family child care situation. Information will be given about inexpensive and easily obtainable materials and how these can improve the physical and emotional quality of the child care provided. Available community resources that provide support for families and children will be researched. 1 hour. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 72 - Core (Caring, Observing, Responding, Extending) Curriculum for Family Child Care (2 units)
Basic competencies of caring about children and their families; Observing children and their activities; Responding by interacting with children based on observation; Extending by building on observations of children and their activities (CORE). The CORE concept is also used as a focus for the family home provider to look at her/his business in relation to the families served. 2 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 73 - The Family Child Care Provider Advanced Enrichment Course (2 units)
This course of instruction is designed to assist the family child care provider in developing new and advanced knowledge and skills that will enhance the provider’s career and self-esteem. It examines the blending of the business and the nurturing sides of family child care and offers creative coping solutions aimed at promoting provider longevity, credibility, professionalism, ultimately resulting in his/her home/business providing quality child care. 2 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 74 - Discipline Strategies (2 units)
Designed to suggest various methods of managing, controlling, disciplining and motivating children while teaching. Techniques for working with aggressive, disruptive, hyperactive, repressed and other children whose behavior may be a problem in the classroom. 2 hours. Grading Option: OP Tramsfer: CSU
ECD 75 - Orientation to School Age Child Care Programs (1 unit)
An introduction to the developmentally appropriate behavior of school age children and how to provide activities that will build their self-esteem, meet and challenge their diverse interest, expose them to creative art, music, literature and give their high energy a productive outlet. Promoting positive behavior and dealing effectively with discipline issues. Designed for child care centers and family day care home providers. 1 hour. Grading Option: OP (May be repeated 2 times) Transfer: CSU
ECD 78 - Language Development (3 units)
Principles of language development of young children. Skills involved in communication. Facilitating acquisition and use of communication skills. Prerequisite: ECD 51 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 79 - Anti-Bias Curriculum for Young Children (3 units)
Developing approaches which help young children and the adults who care for them to enhance human diversity, recognize social bias, and take action for their own and others’ behalf. 3 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 80 - Advanced Topics in Childhood Development (1-3 units)
Development and presentation of advanced topics in Early Childhood Development. Emphasis on creative arts, math and science, music and movement. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 63 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 1-3 hours. Grading Option: OP (May be repeated 3 times) Transfer: CSU
ECD 81 - Planning Curriculum for the School-Age Child (3 units)
Fundamentals of planning, implementing and evaluating curriculum for before and after school care of school-age children (K-6). Emphasis on developmental levels, age-appropriate activities and developing an integrated curriculum. 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 82 - Communicating Effectively with the School-Age Child (3 units)
Communication skills that promote self-discipline, techniques for resolving conflicts with the school-age child and effective interactions with parents. Consideration of: environment, appropriateness of program, materials, games and equipment; developmental age of children as instrumental to behavior management; development of pro-social behavior, multicultural awareness, diversity issues, and anti-bias curriculum. 3 hours. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 83 - Adult Supervision (2 units)
Methods and principles of mentoring and supervising adults in early care and education settings. Emphasis on the role of experienced classroom teachers who function as mentors to new teachers while simultaneously addressing the needs of children, families and other staff. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Development 62 and Early Childhood Development 63 (both completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 2 hours. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU
ECD 90 - Supervised Experience (4 units)
Direct experience working with young children. Observation and evaluation of individual children, group activities, roles of adults in the preschool and the entire school program. Planning instructional activities, developing educational plans, planning parent conferences, and discussion of on-site experiences. Prerequisite Early Childhood Development 55 (May be taken concurrently) and Early Childhood Development 63. 2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU
ECD 95 - Work Experience (1-3 units)
Application of principles and skills through participation in on-the-job training. Corequisite: Early Childhood Development 96. 5-15 hours experience per week. (May be repeated to a total of 16 units, including the ECD 96 class.) See page 218 for Work Experience requirements. *ECD 95 and ECD 96 combined, maximum transfer credit 6 units. Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU*
ECD 96 - Work Experience (1 unit)
Discussion and analysis of problems encountered on the job. Case studies of on-the-job problems often encountered by employees. Application of quality standards to the job site. Corequisite: Early Childhood Development 95. 1 hour. (May be repeated to a total of 16 units, including the ECD 95 class. See page 218 for Work Experience requirements. *ECD 95 and ECD 96 combined, maximum transfer credit 6 units.) Grading Option: GR Transfer: CSU*
ECD 99 - Special Topics in Early Childhood Development (0.3 - 3 units)
Designed to explore special interest subjects drawn from the field of Early Childhood Development. Emphasis will be on topics of practical use for persons employed in the field of Early Childhood Development, as well as for the person interested in learning about this field. Prerequisites may vary for specific topics. 0.3 - 9 hours. *Limited to 4 transfer units. Grading Option: OP Transfer: CSU*