Click for the Early Childhood Education Brochure
Care and Guidance of Children (516/387 Clock-Hour Certificates)
Care and Guidance of Children is the study of the growth and development of young children and provides students with the opportunity to gain the skills needed to work in the child care field.
Program options include: Early Childhood Education which offers the certification for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) (morning) and Elementary Paraprofessional (School Aide) (afternoon). Both programs can be completed in 9 months. High students would attend 2 years to complete both programs.
Early Childhood Education (Child Development Specialist)—Students learn about the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. There is an on-site Pre-K where students will use their knowledge of child development to work with the preschool children.
Major Units of Study
Physical, social, emotional and intellectual Development
Early childhood career paths
Health and safety
Guidance and discipline
Importance and benefits of play
Ethical issues and appropriate responses
Developmental theory and major theorists
Language and literacy
Elementary Paraprofessional (School Aide)—Students learn about the physical, social, emotional, intellectual and moral development of school-age children. Students will be assigned an internship at an elementary or middle school where they will gain skills working with school-age children.
Major Units of Study
Choosing a career in education
Role of the aide, paraprofessional and teacher
Preparing for an internship
Working with children with special needs
Working in a classroom environment
Physical, social, emotional, intellectual and moral development of school-age children
Observation, assessment and classroom management
Developing as a professional
In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in:
- FCCLA Club (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)—attending and participating in business-style meetings and competitions at regional, state and national levels.
- Students also have the opportunity to join in with other students to raise funds for their various activities. Past events included Longaberger Basket Bingo, Buckwheat Festival, serving concessions at WVU functions.
Equipment Used
Computer
SMART Board
Laminator
Copy Machine
Requirements
Three-ring binder for class work
Three-ring binder for portfolio
Plastic sleeves
Decorative paper for portfolio
Divider tabs for portfolio
Interests
If you have the following interests, these programs may be for you:
- I like working with children
- I like working with team members
- I enjoy helping others--children and adults
- I can lead indoor and outdoor activities
- I enjoy teaching skills to children
- I enjoy telling stories, playing games
- I enjoy participating in art, music, science and literacy activities with children
- I like planning and preparing lessons for young children
Skills
If you have the following skills/personality traits, these programs may be for you:
- I genuinely care about and respect young children
- I have the ability to relate well to both supervisors and co-workers
- I have good communication skills--listening, speaking, writing
- I have the ability to prioritize and attend to more than one thing at a time
- I am self motivation and have the ability to motivate others
- I have a positive attitude and professional work ethic
- I have the ability to be flexible and problem solve as needed
- I am willing to learn new things and be creative