Child Development

In this section:

Up one level:

Departmental Affiliation: Education

The Child Development major provides an interdisciplinary approach to the understanding of young children as individuals and as members of society. Courses in this major are those specifically relevant to child development in the departments of psychology, education, sociology, art, music and English. The Child Development Major is recommended primarily for individuals who seek careers working with children and their families in child care, educational, or social service settings. Graduates are eligible to qualify for the Child Development Teacher Permit under the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Students who do not plan complete this major at the outset of their college careers may instead elect to take courses in their first two years in the Early Childhood Education program at the Doheny Campus.

Child Development Bachelor of Arts

Course Requirements

I. Education

EDU 31 /CHD 31	Introduction to Early Childhood Education & Child Development	(3)
EDU 32 /CHD 132	Observation and Curriculum Planning	(3)
EDU 33 /CHD 133	Visual and Performing Arts for the Young Child	(3)
EDU 36 /CHD 136 PSY 36/136	Emergent Math and Science Experiences in the Preschool Classroom OR Language & Literacy Development in the Young Child	(3)
EDU 37/ CHD 137	Infant/Toddler Development and Care	(3)
EDU 39/139	Fieldwork in Early Childhood Setting	(6)

II. Psychology

PSY 1	Introduction to Psychology	(3)
PSY 12	Child/Human Development	(3)
PSY 112`	Careers and Observations in Child Development Settings (3)
PSY 113	Learning in Children & Adolescents Across Cultures	(3)
PSY 118	Intervention of Children with Multiple Impairments	(3)
PSY 139	Child Abuse and Family Violence	(3)
PSY 191	Child Development Practicum	(3)

III. Sociology

SOC 6	The Family, Child and Community	(3)
SOC 104	The Family	(3)

IV. Art and/or Music (minimum 3 units, chosen from the following):

ART 145	Art and Crafts in the Classroom	(1-3)
ART 5	Fundamentals of Art	(3)
ART 173	Diversity and the Visual Arts	(3)
MUS 130	Creative Music Experience	(1)
MUS 116	Music of World Culture	(3)
MUS 6/106	Varieties of Music	(3)
INT 194A	Introduction to the Visual and Performing Arts	(3)

V. English (minimum 6 units, chosen from the following):

ENG 104	Expository Writing
or ENG 105	Advanced Composition
or ENG 106	Creative Writing	(3)
or ENG 134	Children's Literature	(3)

VI. Biology (minimum 3 units, chosen from the following):

BIO 10	Health Science	(3)
BIO 112	Human Nutrition	(3)

Needs approval of advisor

VII. Minimum 30 upper division units, including the required courses listed above

Students may petition the Child Development Advisor to substitute other relevant courses in the program.

Total units in the interdisciplinary major areas: 51

Plus General Studies requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units including the Modern Language requirement.

All courses are described in the respective department listings.

Child Development Minor

Course Requirements

18 units from the following (12 units must be upper division):

PSY 12	Child/Human Development	(3)
SOC 6	Family, Child, and Community
or SOC 102	Sociology of Children	(3)
CHD 191	Child Development Practicum	(3)

Electives:

PSY 113	Learning in Children & Adolescents Across Cultures	(3)
PSY 139	Child Abuse and Family Violence	(3)
MUS 130	Creative Music Experience	(1)
ART 145	Arts & Crafts in the Classroom	(1-3)
INT 194A	Introduction to the Visual & Performing Arts (3)
ENG 134	Children's Literature	(3)

Other appropriate courses may be submitted with the permission of the Child Development Program Advisor.

Child Development Courses

CHD 31 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Child Development (3)

A study of the history, scope, and current philosophies of programs for young children. Observations in a variety of local early childhood programs, and exploration of the education and licensing requirements for such programs. Ethical and value issues in working with children and their families, as well as the importance of becoming an advocate for upgrading the profession and improving the quality of children's services, are stressed. See EDU 31.

CHD 132 Observation and Curriculum Planning in Child Development Settings (3)

Introduction and use of alternative formats for recording observations of children. Use of observational data and portfolios to diagnose children's interests, developmental levels, and learning needs. Review of basic principles of child development and their application in the early childhood setting by means of observation and curriculum planning. Opportunities to create environments that enhance cultural pluralism. Includes opportunity for observation and participation in an early childhood setting.

Prerequisite: Departmental approval. See EDU 32.

CHD 136 Emergent Math and Science Experiences in the Preschool Classroom (3)

An exploration of ways to enhance children's natural interest in mathematics and their disposition to use it to make sense of their physical and social worlds. Students will also learn to create preschool science programs based on the premise that young children develop science knowledge as they observe and act on the world, ask questions, make predictions, test those predictions, and reflect on their experience. Piaget's theory of cognitive development will be studied in detail. See EDU 36.

CHD 137 Infant and Toddler Development and Care (3)

This course presents an in-depth study of infant and toddler development. The principles of infant and toddler care-giving with an emphasis on the environment and appropriate learning activities will be explored. Techniques for providing inclusive settings for young children with disabilities and special needs will be incorporated. Health, safety, nutrition, and parent relations will also be discussed. Observation of infants and toddlers and programs for them is required. See EDU 32.