Certification Prep: Early Childhood Education

The Certification Prep: Early Childhood Education (CD) course is designed to provide an overview of the professional expectations of being an early childhood educator. Throughout the course, students will learn about what it means to be a professional, including the significance of professional development in any educational role. They will review observational methods and the history of education in the United States, with a focus on early childhood and school-age programs. They will spend a significant portion of the course learning about the importance of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and how to implement these strategies. Designing physical, social, and temporal environments will also be a major focus of the course, as will developing relationships with families and communities to strengthen their position and knowledge. Additionally, this course will prepare students for the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification exam.