Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for Young Children

Below is a sample academic plan that shows you how you can complete your Certificate in a timely manner. Your path may look different depending on your circumstances?for example, if you attend part-time, choose to take Intersession or Summer courses, or have earned prior credit (Credit for Prior Learning, Dual Enrollment, Transfer Credit). You are required to meet with a counselor to set up a comprehensive education plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals.

The Developmentally Appropriate Discipline & Behavior Guidance for Young Children Certificate is designed for educators, teachers, parents, community stakeholders, and caregivers who work with children in a variety of settings. Based on current brain research, child development, and developmentally appropriate practices, this certificate provides a foundation for developmentally appropriate discipline and guidance practices for young children. The certificate curriculum integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) and aligns to research-based teaching strategies and practices in the discipline and guidance of young children.  This certification program has been specifically designed for the adult learner who desires to positively change the lives of children through developmentally appropriate teaching, discipline and guidance practices in the classroom.

Identify developmentally appropriate practices about neurodiversity, how the brain functions, and how the learning environment can be managed to encourage appropriate classroom behaviors.

Apply the principles and tools of brain-based learning strategies to teach new ways of approaching learning while working with groups of young children.

Program Map

GE General Education Course
M Major Course
E Elective Course
SI Summer/Intersession Course *
* Course is appropriate for Summer and Intersession, which are accelerated terms.

Getting Started

Comprehensive Education Plan: You are required to meet with a counselor for a comprehensive educational plan that is tailored to your individual circumstances and goals. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor in your first semester.

First Semester

6 units
CDEV C1000 or PSYC 157
Students examine the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identify developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis is on interactions between biological processes, environmental, and cultural factors. Students may engage in various methods of observing children's development to evaluate individual differences and analyze development characteristics at various stages according to developmental theories. A student will not receive credit for this course if they have already taken Psychology 157. Formerly: CDEV 107 - Child Growth and Development (DS1)
    Plan 1: 4B. Social Science
    Plan 1: 7A. Lifelong Understanding
    Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
    OR
    Survey of human development from conception through adolescence. Covers major theories of development (cognition, perception, language, personality, social, etc.) and their application to parenting, teaching, and other interactions with children. (No credit if student has taken Child Development 107.)
      Plan 2: 4. Social and Behavioral Sciences
      CDEV 297
      Analyzing and Applying Teacher Strategies in the Classroom
      This course prepares pre-service early childhood and early elementary education teachers to effectively use formative and summative assessments to understand and support the developmental, academic, and social-emotional progress of young children in Preschool-Third Grade classrooms. Candidates will learn to use assessment data to inform instruction that is developmentally appropriate, intentional, and aligned with content standards. The course emphasizes the design of inclusive learning environments that integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and apply a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework to address diverse learner needs. Special attention will be given to culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices, strategies for supporting English learners, and building strong partnerships with families. Students are required to complete 25 hours of structured observation and fieldwork experience in an approved early childhood and/or elementary school classroom setting.
      *Fall Course Only
      • Prerequisite: Prerequisite: By the 1st week of the class, verification of the state-mandated Tdap vaccination, MMR immunization, flu vaccine, negative TB test, and statement of good health will be required.
      • Recommended Preparation: Recommended Preparation: 6 units of child development coursework

      Second Semester

      5 units
      CDEV 230
      Child Guidance and Classroom Management
      This course will define and explore developmentally appropriate expectations about young children's behavior. Students will learn the importance of the educator’s knowledge about discipline strategies, effective communication skills, high-quality teacher and child interactions and the development of a skill set to address behavior issues and implement discipline strategies which are in alignment with the undesirable classroom behaviors. Behavior expectations will be defined and research-based behavioral observation skills, strategies, and assessments will be explored that best support children's various behaviors. Each student will create a community resource file of service agencies to include accessible behavior management resource materials that support teachers and students challenged with behavioral issues in the classroom. It is advised that students take this course in conjunction with working in a classroom setting.
      *Spring and Summer Course Only
        CDEV 229
        Brain Development and Learning
        This class explores the development of the brain for children from birth through adolescence, and how behavior and learning are affected. Brain-based learning strategies will be used to teach new ways of approaching learning, including how to understand diverse learning styles. This course is designed for educators, parents, and students who are interested in knowing more about how the brain operates and how the environment affects the brain.