Focused study of child growth and development and family resources utilizing laboratory child development facilities. Practice in utilizing teaching techniques while interacting with young children 18 months to 5 years old for caregivers whose children are enrolled in the center and students who are completing field experience hours. Educational opportunities and community service resource information provided.

An exploration of child growth and development through observation and interaction with children 15 months through kindergarten age: child-rearing practices; effective caregivers; health, safety and nutrition; decision-making in family life; utilization of community resources.

An introduction to the practice of postpartum doulas, providing support for newborns and new parents at home. Topics include birth recovery, bonding, infant soothing, basic newborn care, infant feeding and giving culturally appropriate care to support the emotional and physical development of the newborn and the family. Building a practice and doula self care are incorporated to support practitioners..

Informal discussion on the growth and development of infants 8-14 months in an enriched play environment. Topics include physical/sensory-motor, social-emotional, cognitive and language development; influence of parenting styles; family life; and the infant's impact on the family.

Informal lecture and discussion on infant development during the first seven months of life and on issues of concern to new parents. Topics include characteristics of normal infant development, daily routines and feeding practices, and impact of the infant on the family.

An overview of teaching opportunities, requirements and certifications in California in a range of school settings. Career opportunities and labor market demand will be covered. Credentialing, permitting and certifications to be defined. ECE, Transitional Kindergarten, K-12 (elementary, middle and high school) and community college teaching requirements will be reviewed.

An overview of TK-12 teaching from multicultural perspectives including the history of US public education, inequities in the field, actions to address inequities, current trends in the field, philosophies of teaching, and teaching strategies.

Learn about emotional development of young children, and using empathy and brain science to understand and solve children's behavioral challenges through connection, responsiveness, co-regulation and tools for understanding the roots of behavioral responses to the environment.

Learn about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for children with special needs, including planning IEP/IFSP meetings, setting goals and objectives, writing the IEP plan, legal rights of children with disabilities, and the importance of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including culturally diverse families, advocates, general education teachers and support personal to meet the social and academic success of each student.

Explore specific learning disabilities including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and non-verbal learning disability. Identify multi-sensory strategies for teaching children with learning disabilities; identify student strengths and use them to address weaknesses; learn how to create an inclusive learning environment; and become aware of community resources.