Early Childhood Curriculum Specialist/Transitional Kindergarten

Examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children both typical and atypical from conception through adolescence. Emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories.

Introduction to the visual arts domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including artistic expression and response, and skills using various art mediums. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the performing arts domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of music, drama, and dance. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Choose one course from the Options list below

Choose one course from the Options list below

Introduction to the English language learners domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the social and emotional development domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of self, social interaction, and relationships. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the history and social science domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of self and society, civics, history, geography, ecology, and economics. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the physical development domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of fundamental movement skills, perceptual-motor skills and movement concepts, and active physical play. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Appropriate for classroom teachers in various settings including Transitional Kindergarten. Students will identify developmentally appropriate behaviors, challenging behaviors, and the various influences that affect children’s behavior. Students will analyze children’s behaviors and select strategies to make positive changes. Emphasizes the connection between children’s social and emotional development and their success in the classroom, and how the teachers’ perceptions, experiences, and behavior influence child behaviors.

Choose one course from the Options list below

Introduction to the mathematics domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of number sense, algebra and functions, measurement, geometry, and mathematical reasoning. Provides strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduces the science domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of scientific inquiry, physical, life, and earth sciences and provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the language and literacy development domain in the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including the strands of listening and speaking, reading, and writing. Provides practical considerations for implementing the curriculum frameworks developed for this domain. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

Introduction to the health domain of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks including strands of health habits, safety, and nutrition. Provides practical strategies for implementing the curriculum frameworks. Applicable to required or professional development units for Child Development Permit holders, as well as pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and early-primary teachers.

This course provides an overview of language and literacy development in children from infancy to school age. Practical aspects of fostering literacy development in children by improving teachers’ knowledge of literature in early years. It addresses the role of literature, the relationship between early language development and literacy opportunities and methods for developing language and positive attitudes toward literature. The student will develop knowledge and understanding of the normal development of language in the young child, including multi-language learners, and the teacher's role in fostering and facilitating this development by reading books, storytelling, story writing, and use of puppets, flannel boards and props.

Introduces the variations in development of infants and children with exceptional needs and the resulting impact on families. Includes an overview of historical and societal influences, laws relating to children with exceptional needs, and the identification and referral process. Assessments, interventions, and learning environments for infants and children with exceptional needs.

The processes of socialization focusing on development of identity and the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts. Explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence.

Introduces the current and appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children’s development and learning. The use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences are emphasized. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools will be discussed, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Effective observations that build on respecting and fostering all children’s competence, striving for objectivity and individualizing programs to meet individual children’s learning and developmental assessment. Direct observational experience and application of methods is required weekly.

Examines the historical and current perspectives on diversity and inclusion and the impact of various systemic societal influences on children's development, learning and school experiences. Critical examination of societal and personal attitudes and beliefs, values, assumptions and biases about culture, race, language, identity, family structures, ability, socio-economic status and other issues influenced by systemic oppression. Strategies for developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate anti-bias curriculum will be explored as well as approaches to promote inclusive and anti-racist classroom communities. Includes self-reflection on the influence of teachers' own culture and life experiences on teaching and interactions with children and families. Issues related to social identity, stereotypes, and bias will be explored; learn to recognize and confront barriers that interfere with one’s ability to work effectively with diverse populations of children and families. Ethnic/cultural groups referenced within course from the United States of America, including African American, Asian American, Chicano/Latino, European American, Indigenous People of the Americas and Americans of Middle Eastern origin.