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