Program Objectives

Program Objectives: Upon satisfactorily completing the Imperial Valley College Child Development Major & Early Childhood Education Major, students will be able to:

1. Exhibit grounding in a child development knowledge base.
   • A. Knowledge and understanding of young children's characteristics and needs.
   • B. Knowledge and understanding of the multiple influences on early development and learning.
   • C. Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.
   • D. Knowledge of various theoretical perspectives on development from conception through adolescences.

1. Demonstrate knowledge in building relationships with children, family and community.
   • A. Knowledge, understanding and value of diverse family and community characteristics.
   • B. Possess knowledge and skills to support and engage families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
   • C. Developing strategies to involve families and communities in young children's development and learning.

1. Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families.
   • A. Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment – including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children.
   • B. Knowledge of and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment and data collection.
   • C. Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child, including the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities.
   • D. Knowledge of effective assessment which requires collaboration with families and with professional colleagues to build effective learning environments.

1. Demonstrate developmentally effective approaches to create positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation in working with children and families from diverse societies.
   • A. Understanding that relationships and supportive interactions are the foundation of their work with children.
   • B.  Knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies and tools for early learning.
   • C. Knowledge of and ability to use a variety of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning approaches.
   • D. Reflect and evaluate the impact of their personal experiences on their practices to promote positive outcomes for children and teaching effectiveness.

1. Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
   • A. Understanding what content knowledge is important and why it is important to build curriculum
   • B. Knowledge of central concepts, inquiry tools and structure of content areas needed to provide appropriate environments that support learning.
   • C. Design and implement challenging curricula for each child.

1. Demonstrate Professionalism
   • A. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards.
   • B. Demonstrating skills as a developing professional in the field of early childhood.
   • C. Integrating knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on early childhood education.
   • D. Promoting child development and learning.