Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for Young Children

The Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for the Young Child Certificate is designed for early childhood educators, teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and caregivers who work with children from birth to eight years of age. Based on current brain research, child development, and developmentally appropriate practices, this certificate provides a foundation for developmentally appropriate discipline and guidance practices for young children. The certificate curriculum integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) and aligns to research-based teaching strategies and practices in the discipline and guidance of young children.  This certification program has been specifically designed for the adult learner  who desires to positively change the lives of children through developmentally appropriate teaching, discipline and guidance practices in the classroom.

The projected number of students to earn the certificate is 15. 

Students will develop skills to understand neurodiversity, how the brain functions, and how the environnent and learning can be managed to encourage appropriate classroom behaviors.

Students will analyze developmentally appropriate teaching practices grounded in current brain research, human, child and brain development known to be best practice in the field of education. 

Students will apply the principles and tools of brain-based learning strategies to teach new ways of approaching learning while working with groups of young children.

This Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for Young Children certificate corresponds to the SAC mission of inspiring, transforming, and empowering a diverse community oflearners.  Specifically, it prepares our students to support and promote developmentally appropriate discipline and guidance when teaching young children zero to eight years of age.   Students develop knowledge and skills as well as gain research-based strategies and tools to guide behavior and provide appropriate discipline.  Students can continue to pursue their educational career options by obtaining the Emphasis in Preschool Age Care and Development Degree (33.5) or Emphasis in School-Age Care and Recreation Degree (32.5-35.5 units).  Also, this certificate can be used for professional development hours for current teachers in the ECE field. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
CDEV 107 OR	Child Growth and Development	3	Y1, F
PSYC 157	Introduction to Child Psychology	3	Y1, F
CDEV 229	Brain Development and Learning	2	Y1, F
CDEV 230	Child Guidance and Classroom Management	2	Y1, S
CDEV 297	Analyzing and Applying Teacher Strategies in the Classroom	3	Y1, F/S

Child Development

There are child development programs at Fullerton, Irvine, North Orange County Adult, Saddleback, and Santiago Canyon.

Annual enrollment projection is 15 students.