Certificate of Achievement: Social Emotional Learning in Early Childhood

The Social Emotional Learning in Early Childhood pathway provides an in-depth overview of social emotional development and social emotional learning (SEL) strategies necessary to understand the impact of social emotional development on children’s overall growth and development from infancy through adulthood. This certificate equips students with competencies in the Domain of Social Emotional Development, brain growth and development, trauma-informed care, and self-reflective caregiving and teaching practices. Students will engage in practical experiences with coaching and support. The Social Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Certificate of Achievement will increase confidence and competence for careers as early childhood educators, infant/toddler teachers, childcare program directors, family childcare providers, and early intervention specialists.

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Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Integrate understanding of social-emotional development, brain growth and development, stress, and early trauma into daily practices and interactions with children and families.

2. Apply developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed social-emotional learning strategies in an early childhood setting.

3. Design inclusive environments that support the social-emotional wellness of children, families, and educators.

4. Demonstrate self-reflective caregiving and teaching practices grounded in the California Foundations’ Domain of Social Emotional Development.

This program prepares students to enter the following occupations: Early Childhood Educator, Infant/Toddler Teacher, Childcare Program Director, Family Childcare Provider, and Early Intervention Specialist. 

The Required Core consists of 20 units spread across two years, providing students with a comprehensive foundation in child development and early childhood education. In Year 1, students begin with the fundamentals, exploring child growth and development (CD 1), positive guidance strategies (CD 48), and an introduction to early brain science and social-emotional development through The Growing Brain I & II (CD 16/CD 17). 

Year 2 builds on that foundation by shifting toward educator well-being and advanced practice and establishing a critical lens on adversity, focusing on trauma-informed and healing-centered care (CD 66). Students examine resilience and personal wellness (CD 67), a deeper study of social-emotional development in young children (CD 72), and practical strategies for guiding children's social-emotional learning (CD 77).

Together, these eight courses move students progressively from child-centered knowledge to educator-centered application, integrating science, equity, and practice across both years.

New Program - No existing programs need to be made inactive in connection with this approval.
This program fills a distinct and essential role within the college's curriculum by providing a specialized sequence of courses focused exclusively on social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and early brain development, areas not comprehensively addressed by any existing program. It complements the college's broader Child Development offerings while meeting a growing regional demand for educators trained in the science of early childhood well-being.

No comparable certificates were located. Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) Child Development catalog includes a course on childhood stress and trauma; however, the college does not offer a standalone certificate dedicated to social-emotional learning, trauma-informed and healing-centered care, educator resilience, or the California Foundations’ Domain of Social Emotional Development as a structured certificate pathway.

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New program.