Early Childhood Intervention Assistant

Certificate of Achievement
2022-2023

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About the Program

The Early Care and Education Program is designed to educate students in principles of child growth and development, preparing engaging, developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum and environments, and experience with applying these principles into direct work with children and their families. The program reflects the current and projected needs of the early childhood profession. Courses are designed to satisfy CA Department of Social Services licensing regulations and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for work permits. Educating and caring for young children requires study, personal and professional integrity, self-reflection and critical thinking. This program prepares students to: apply theories of child development and educational pedagogy with children birth to eight, create enriching educational environments and curriculum, utilize child-centered, emergent and developmentally appropriate approaches to learning, make meaningful connections with families, support children’s understanding of diversity and inclusion, and support children’s social-emotional well-being.

About the Certificate

The Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant/Para-Educator is designed to prepare students to be para-educators in early childhood special education classrooms. This certificate also prepares early childhood teachers who will be working in inclusive classrooms.

Career Opportunities

Teacher's assistant in a special education classroom, Para-educator in a special education classroom (K-3 grade), and Teacher's assistant in inclusive preschool classroom.

Program Outcomes

• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to assess children's development through observation, documentation, reflection and interpretation to guide curriculum and intentional teaching.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to compare and contrast diverse cultural values, child rearing practices, attitudes towards play and education by developing respectful reciprocal relationships in order to work effectively with children, families, coworkers and community.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to demonstrate practices that maintain standards of health, nutrition, and safety in early childhood settings.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to identify the processes of and contributions to systemic and internalized oppression and privilege. Utilize this information, along with personal reflection, to identify strategies to more effectively educate children in a pluralistic society.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to intentionally design inclusive, culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum to promote positive development for all young children, based on child development, observation and reflection.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to students will develop a personal ECE philosophy after reviewing ECE philosophies and program approaches.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Intervention Assistant, students are able to synthesize child development research and theories; apply principles with consideration for children's varying characteristics, needs and the multiple interacting influences on children's development.

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Required Core: (32 Units) Units

Course	Units
ECE 40 Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning	3
ECE 50 Early Childhood Principles and Practices	3
ECE 54 Child Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ECE 56 Child Growth and Development	3
ECE 60 Introduction to the Young Child With Exceptional Needs	3
ECE 62 Child, Family and Community	3
ECE 63 Early Childhood Curriculum	4
ECE 67 Infant and Toddler Development and Caregiving	3
ECE 90 Practicum-Supervised Experience	4
ECE 91 Adaptive Curriculum For Children With Exceptional Needs	3

Units

Units Category	Units
Total Units	32

Updated: July 2022