Develop skills to provide developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant activities and care for children ages 5-12 in a variety of settings. Includes implementing curriculum, preparing environments, building relationships, guiding cognitive and social emotional development as well as community outreach. Course may include fieldwork.
Prerequisites
Instructor permission.
Quarters Offered
Summer
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
Outcomes are aligned with the Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals and the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards.- Describe the physical, cognitive, social and emotional stages of children ages 5-12.
Core Competencies: Area I: Child/Adolescent Growth & Development-1a, 2a, 2b.
NAEYC: Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning Key Element: 1a. - Develop a plan to create reciprocal and culturally sensitive relationships with children and families.
Core Competencies: Area IV: Families, Communities and Schools-1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2e, 2f, 3a, Area VII: Program Planning and Development-2a, Area IX: Cultural Competency and Responsiveness-1c, 1f, 2b.
NAEYC: Standard 2: Building Family and Community Relationships Key Element: 2b, Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families Key Element: 4a. - Analyze the effectiveness of the environment and recommend changes that are bias free, developmentally appropriate, and promote social interactions.
Core Competencies: Area II: Learning Curriculum and Environment-1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2b, 2c, 2e, 2f, Area VI: Interactions with Children/Youth-2a, 2b, 2d.
NAEYC: Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families Key Element: 4d. - Discuss the dynamics of children in after school care environments and the impact on behavior and identify guidance strategies that promote cognitive and social growth.
Core Competencies: Area VI: Interactions with Children/Youth-1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 4a.
NAEYC: Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families Key Element: 4c. - Describe state and local school age care regulations and procedures related to group size, health, nutrition and safety.
Core Competencies: Area V: Safety and Wellness-1a, 1b, 1e,-Environmental Safety-1a, 1b, 1e, Area X: Youth Empowerment-1b.
NAEYC: Standard 6: Becoming a Professional Key Element 6b. - Describe strategies supporting curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive.
Core Competencies: Area II. Learning Environment and Curriculum-1a, 1f, 2a, 2b, 2c, Area IX: Cultural Competency and Responsiveness-2e, 2h.
NAEYC: Standard 5: Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum Key Element: 5c. - Identify community resources supporting school age care and school age care/youth development specialists. Core Competencies: Area IV: Families, Communities, and Schools-2c, 3d, Area IX: Cultural Competency and Responsiveness-2c.
NAEYC: Standard 2: Building Family and Community Relationships Key Element: 2b.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Communication: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively within a workplace context
Course Content Outline
- Caregivers: Who Are They?
- The Children
- Families: Where Children Are Nurtured
- Development in Middle Childhood: Physical
- Development in Middle Childhood: Cognitive
- Development in Middle Childhood: Psychosocial and Moral
- Helping Children Develop Social Competence
- Program Planning
- Creating an Environment
- Games and other Fun Things to Do
- Imagination and the Arts
- Science and Math
- Helping Children Develop Literacy Competency
- Preparing Children for Adult Roles
- Getting Fit, Staying Fit
- Using Community Resources
- Quality and Standards
Department Guidelines
Course may include, but not limited to the following activities:
- Student presentations on various topics outlined in textbook
- Washington State Early Learning Guidelines and Washington State K-12 Learning Standards
- Summaries of articles from professional journals, magazines, or websites
- Quizzes/assessments of student’s knowledge
- Observations in early childhood and school-age environments (Pre-K-6th grade)
- Interviews with early learning and school-age professionals
- Reflections of student learning
- Review of NAEYC Standards and Code of Ethical Conduct
- Review of Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals and Washington State Core Competencies for Child and Youth Development Professionals
- Video clips to reinforce specific skills