Children with Special Needs

Estimated completions at the end of the 2nd year: 80 based on current completion projections 

Estimate completions at the end of the 5th year: 210  

This certificate includes all core Child Development courses and is an opportunity to specialize while working toward an AA or AS-T degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. We recommend pursuing the Associate Teacher 1 Certificate concurrently. Students can apply for certificates as soon as the necessary courses are completed.  

Objectives:  

1.  Students will identify and describe major theories of infant and toddler development, typical vs atypical child development milestones, strengths and special needs, and recognize basic health issues and conditions that may promote or impede optimal infant/toddler growth and development. 

2. Students will identify and describe major theories of early childhood development, describe typical and atypical milestones of children 2yrs through 5 years of age and identify the strength and special needs of the child in the context of his/her family. 

3.  Students will identify and describe major theories of adolescent development and will synthesize this information with information learned about infant, toddler, early childhood and middle childhood development. 

4. Interpret best and promising teaching and care practices as defined within the field of early care and education’s history, range of delivery systems, program types and philosophies, and ethical standards. 

5. Identify the roles and responsibilities of an early childhood educator for curriculum and teaching, family engagement, ethical practice, and professional interactions with others in the classroom. 

6. Assess early childhood settings, curriculum, and teaching strategies, utilizing indicators of quality early childhood practice that support all children, including those with diverse characteristics and their families. 

7. Examine the symptoms of common communicable diseases and other health conditions 
   that affect young children. Classify communicable illness and transmittal factors. 
   Recognize the stages of illness and school health policies, control measures to protect young children and staff from communicable illnesses. Demonstrate the understanding of symptoms of communicable disease and other health issues that are related to children. 

8. Discuss the chronic and long-term health problems and their impacts on children’s 
   Examine the socio-economic characteristics of diabetes, seizures, allergies, asthma, lead poisoning, and Attention Deficit Disorder and their impacts on children and families. Examine and discuss common health and safety issues in ECE settings and evaluate best practices. 

9. Discuss Federal and State regulations on environment safety and its impact on quality 
   Recognize the laws and regulations, such as Title 22, Title 5, and fire codes, that support health, safety, and nutrition in children’s' programs. Discuss the components of an exemplary children care program. Assess the environmental health and safety risks for children ages 0-5. Discuss the principles of accident prevention. Examine the legal implications and negligence. Demonstrate the understanding of effective strategies for evaluating health and safety policies and procedures 

10. Compare and contrast diverse family characteristics and perspectives of children and families. 

11. Identify how the child develops within a system and is influenced by multiple factors of socialization, including the educational, political, and socioeconomic impacts on children and families. 

12. Compare and contrast educational systems and practices, including strategies for family engagement and building partnerships between early learning settings, schools, and community organizations and agencies. 

13. Discuss and analyze different techniques that can be helpful when working with families and children with disabilities. 

14. Be able to apply teaching techniques and adaptations that will allow for a child to be successful in a general education setting.  

15. Identify the different program options for young children with disabilities 

16. Recognize disabilities, signs, and symptoms, and effect on development and learning.  Examine developmental milestones impacted by the disability. Discuss grieving process experienced by families.  Analyze the impact of the diagnosis of having a child with a disability has on family dynamics.   

This Certificate of Achievement is meant to replace the current Skills Certificate called Children with Special Needs Emphasis. The current skills certificate will be archived when this COA is approved.     

This certificate is targeted at students and working professionals who aim to build their current knowledge, practices, and skills in the field of child development as educators. The curriculum focuses on the goals and objectives from six existing courses from The Child, Family, and Education Studies Department. The courses in this certificate can be seamlessly integrated into our current certificate and degree programming. It is anticipated that the new certificate will not result in any reduced changes in enrollment with only a rise in enrollment and completions, anticipated. Students may also stack this certificate into an existing Associates’ degree within the department with minimal extra courses needed.  

Core Courses: 

CH DEV1 - 60 sections, 35 per course 

CH DEV 2 – 40 sections, 35 per course 

CH DEV 10 – 15 sections, 38 per course 

CH DEV 11 – 25 sections, 38 per course 

CH DEV 44 – 6 sections, 32 per course 

CH DEV 45 – 6 sections, 32 per course