The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” 
. Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” 
.
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” 
which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” 
, be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Students completing an Early Childhood Associate Teacher certificate are qualified to teach in a private child development program licensed under Title 22 of the Department of Social Services. It also fulfills the educational requirements for students seeking a California Child Development Permit Matrix at the Associate Teacher level issued by the California Commission of Teaching Credentialing. Students that desire to work in a early childhood setting are required to minimally complete these core classes.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions to meet the entry-level requirements for early childhood professionals working in programs regulated by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). This certificate is designed to meet the Early Childhood Education course work which is one of the two requirements needed to qualify for the California Child Development Associate Teacher permit.
Icon Key
-
Gateway Course
-
Program Requirement
-
General Education -
Appropriate for
Intersession
-
Available Online -
Global Citizenship
NOTE: Noncredit Pathway Opportunity: The noncredit Certificate of Completion below can serve as a bridge into for-credit coursework. Refer to www.smc.edu/noncredit for more information.
- Introduction to Early Care and Education: ECE NC 901, 902 and 903.
After students complete the noncredit certificate and any 6 units of ECE coursework, they are able to receive an Assistant Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and enter public or private sector employment as an Assistant Teacher in a preschool or other early care and education environment.
Semester 1
12 Units
This course will examine the major developmental milestones for children, both typically and atypically developing, from conception through adolescence in the areas of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive development. Emphasis will be on interactions between maturational and environmental factors within a culturally sensitive framework. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages.
should be taken in the intersession PRIOR to ECE courses
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4I: Psychology
- D9 - Psychology
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course examines the historical contexts and theoretical principles of developmentally appropriate and best practices in early care and education for children birth through age eight. It explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. It identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. It introduces best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. This class is appropriate for students wanting to work with young children in a variety of programs, including infant-toddler, preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11
This course is an examination of the developing child in a societal context, focusing on the interrelationship of family, school and community and the influence of multiple societal contexts. It explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence. Studies of family systems in contemporary society as they impact children and their individual heritage, diverse culture, ability and language will be examined, highlighting at least three major American cultures (Latina/o American, African American, Asian American, Native American, and European American). The processes of socialization and identity development will be highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11
- 4G: Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
- D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course provides a developmental framework for planning and implementing experiences that support and extend children¿s abilities to use language as a means of communication, as a medium of creative expression and as a tool in the development of logical thought. It introduces techniques for assessing children's language skills and for developing a program to meet those needs through individual interactions and group activities. The course reviews the current research pertaining to language acquisition and pre-reading skills development within a culturally sensitive framework. Students will review children's literature and obtain practice in story selection, reading and storytelling to young children.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11
This course applies child development principles to the planning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences for both typically and atypically developing young children. Emphasis is placed on understanding how children develop problem-solving skills and on recognizing how teachers can facilitate inquiry-discovery experiences for young children with diverse learning styles and needs. Course work includes designing, planning for, participation in, and assessment of STEM challenges. These are created through classroom design, material selection, and learning to build upon a child's natural curiosity.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11
This course applies child development principles to planning multicultural art, music, and movement experiences for young children. It covers the role of art, music, and movement in developing children's physical-motor, social-emotional, and cognitive skills, with emphasis on providing conditions that encourage development of creativity and aesthetic awareness. Class work includes workshops and field experiences in planning and implementing appropriate creative experiences with young children.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11
This course covers developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children birth through age eight. Students will use knowledge of children’s development, theories of learning and development, observation and assessment, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas and support children’s development and learning, integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings. It explores the teacher's role in supporting development and learning across the curriculum.
- Skills Advisory: PSYCH 11