This course examines the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children birth through age eight. It explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. It identifies and explores teacher-child relationships, professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Also introduced are best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective teaching strategies for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. Field trips may be required. Recommended Prep: ENGL V02. Transfer credit: CSU.

This course focuses on developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for young children birth through age eight. It explores teaching strategies and curriculum development based on theoretical frameworks, observation, and assessment. Emphasis is on the teacher’s role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum, including all content areas. Students will use knowledge of children’s development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children’s development and learning integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings. Field trips may be required. Recommended Prep: CD V62, ENGL V02. Transfer credit: CSU.

This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social/emotional development are examined and applied to studies of typically and atypically developing individuals at various points in their lifespan and within the context of a family. UC Credit Limitation: Maximum credit of 3 units if combined with CD V02. Field trips may be required. Recommended Prep: ENGL V01A. Transfer credit: CSU; UC. Formerly: HEC V24.

This course provides the opportunity to apply observation techniques to early childhood practice. It requires the use of specific observation tools, including DRDP, to observe children's development and their interactions with adults, children, materials, and activities. The use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences are emphasized. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools will be discussed, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Students will complete between twenty-four (24) hours and twenty-six (26) hours of observation and lab assignments at the Orfalea Child Development Center at Ventura College or at a designated child development center with a master teacher or qualified master teacher that has been approved by the instructor. Field trips may be required. Corequisites: CD V04. Recommended Prep: CD V02 and ENGL V02 or ENGL V06A. Transfer credit: CSU. Formerly: CD V64A.