Child Development and Early Childhood

The Child Development and Early Childhood Department commits to improve and promote the quality of services and programs for young children and families in the surrounding communities by educating and training individuals for early childhood professions through partnerships with early childhood programs and social service agencies.

Specialization: Infant and Toddler

Certificate

The Infant and Toddler certificate prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of Child Development and Early Childhood at programs such as Early Head Start and infant/toddler child care programs. This certificate provides the instruction and field experience necessary for successful care and guidance of young children birth through age three. The graduate will know and be able to promote child development/early childhood concepts and learning, use developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and families, and use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.

This certificate also provides students an option to apply for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) from the Council for Professional Recognition after taking CDEC 1417 Child Development Associate Training I and CDEC 2422 Child Development Associate Training II. All students participating in Field Study courses and labs must have a negative TB test and a criminal background check submitted to the placement site. The Field Study course, CDEC 1167 Capstone: Field Study Infant/Toddler, must be taken during the semester the student is graduating. All credit hours earned under this certificate plan, with the exception of optional courses, transfer to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development/Early Childhood. TECA courses and EDUC 1301 will transfer to the AA in Early Childhood Education Field of Study.

Specialization: Preschool

Certificate

The Preschool certificate prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of Child Development and Early Childhood at programs such as Head Start and preschool child care programs. This certificate provides the instruction and field experience necessary for successful care and guidance of young children three to five years of age. The graduate will know and be able to promote child development concepts and learning, use developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and families, and use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.

This certificate also provides students an option to apply for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) from the Council for Professional Recognition after taking CDEC 1417 Child Development Associate Training I and CDEC 2422 Child Development Associate Training II. All students participating in Field Study courses and labs must have a negative TB test and a criminal background check submitted to the placement site. The Field Study course, CDEC 2166 Capstone: Field Study Preschool, must be taken during the semester the student is graduating. All credit hours earned under this certificate plan, with the exception of optional courses, transfer to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development/Early Childhood. TECA courses and EDUC 1301 will transfer to the AA in Early Childhood Education Field of Study.

Child Development/Early Childhood

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum leading to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development/Early Childhood provides the instruction and field experience necessary for successful care and guidance of young children birth to eight years of age. Graduates will know and be able to promote child development concepts and learning; build family and community relationships; observe, document, and assess children; use developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and families; use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum; and become an early childhood professional and advocate for young children. Students will be prepared for various positions in private kindergartens, child development centers, early childhood programs such as Early Head Start, Head Start, and non-profit and for-profit preschool and infant/toddler programs. They will also be prepared for jobs in the public/charter schools and after school programs such as teacher aide and other paraprofessional positions. All students participating in Field Study courses and labs must have a negative TB test and a criminal background check submitted to the placement site. The Field Study course, CDEC 2167 Capstone: Administration, must be taken during the semester the student is graduating. TECA courses will transfer to the AA in Early Childhood Education Field of Study. 

Early Childhood Education

Associate of Arts

The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education focuses on teaching students to understand the basics of child development and learning and the instructional strategies and planning needed to help young children birth to age 8 grow and learn. It will prepare students who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education or related field and help qualify graduates for career opportunities in public and private daycare centers as teachers or managers, teacher assistants in the public school system, entry level positions in state/federally funded programs (Head Start and Early Head Start) and community-based programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Specialization: Infant and Toddler Certificate

1. Students will be able to utilize developmentally appropriate practices with infants and toddlers in a classroom setting.
2. Students will be able to design developmentally appropriate lesson plans for infants and toddlers that incorporate early learning standards and content related curriculum.
3. Students will implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that promote development and learning with infants and toddlers.

1. Students will be able to utilize developmentally appropriate practices with preschool children in a classroom setting.
2. Students will be able to design developmentally appropriate lesson plans for preschool children that incorporate early learning standards and content related curriculum.
3. Students will implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that promote development and learning with preschool children.

1. Students will be able to describe developmental stages of children and youth.
2. Students will be able to identify local community/educational resources that empower families to support children's growth and development.
3. Students will use authentic and effective child assessment tools and methods to document young children's development and use the factual evidence/data gathered to plan developmentally appropriate individualized plans.
4. Students will be able to utilize developmentally appropriate practices with children in a classroom setting.
5. Students will be able to design developmentally appropriate lesson plans for young children that incorporate early learning standards and content related curriculum.
6. Students will implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that promote development and learning with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.

Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts

1. Students will be able to describe developmental stages of children and youth.
2. Students will be able to identify local community/educational resources that empower families to support children's growth and development.
3. Students will distinguish strategies for creating respectful, responsive and reciprocal relationships with diverse families.
4. Students will identify professional standards and ethical guidelines in the Early Childhood field.
5. Students will draw connections between nutrition, health, and safety practices for promoting children's physical and psychological health.

Advisory Committee Members

(For Workforce Programs Only)

Pattie Rosenlund, Committee Chair, MS Executive Director, Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley
Consuelo Casas, Administrator for Education, Hidalgo County Head Start
Diana Bivens, Director, Covenant Christian Academy
Dr. Vejoya Viren, Associate Professor, Human Development and School Services, UTRGV
Nancy Cuevas, Owner and Manager of Little Bright Minds Child Development Center
Frank Campos, Lead, Child Care Quality, Workforce Solutions
Dr. Jo Ann Patino, Health Services Director, UMOS Head Start

(For Academic Program Only) 

TSI Liable

¹

In addition to the courses in the Field of Study, the student is required to take 42 hours from the STC Core Curriculum.

²

Students must take SPCH 1311 Introduction to Speech Communication or SPCH 1318 Interpersonal Communications to meet the Component Area Option core requirement. Students must take ARTS 1301 Art Appreciation or MUSI 1306 Music Appreciation to meet the Creative Arts core requirement.  

Certificates

• Child Development/Early Childhood Specialization: Infant and Toddler Certificate
• Child Development/Early Childhood Specialization: Preschool Certificate

Associate Degree

• Child Development/Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science
• Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts

 Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts

TSI Liable