Mar 19, 2024  
2020-21 Catalog 
    
2020-21 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Child Development


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Jump to Degree Planners

 

Program Coordinator Dr. Melissa Batchelor

Some individuals have the special talent of being able to work well with children. Early childhood teachers help children explore their interests, develop independence, build self-esteem, and learn how to interact appropriately with other children and adults and play an important role in the children’s preschool experiences.

Employment opportunities are projected to increase. The demand for quality child care programs and teachers is critical. There are more positions for people trained to work with young children than there are people to fill those positions.

Lewis and Clark offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Child Development and prepares the graduate to serve as a director of a child development program.  Lewis and Clark is an entitled institution through Gateways; therefore, students can earn a Gateways Credential through the course work. The Gateways Credential is recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services Bureau of Child the Care and Development. Credentials are required for varied Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois and can be used as a prerequisite for employment within early learning programs.

As a Lewis and Clark graduate, the student will have the confidence of practical experience. Child Development students use theory and application to design developmentally appropriate programs and curricula. All student projects are completed under the direction of instructors who feel a sense of responsibility to the field of child development as well as to the individual success of each Lewis and Clark student. All instructors have master’s degrees and are experienced in teaching young children.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Introduce, maintain, and continue to grow standards of professional conduct and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally
  2. Plan, create, and implement learning opportunities and environments for the diverse learning needs of all children
  3. Plan, conduct, and interpret appropriate assessments to inform decisions about curriculum and teaching/learning interactions to support communication with others and to inform programmatic decisions
  4. Create respectful and reciprocal partnerships with families and communities that support and empower children’s development and learning

Nature of Work: The Child Development curriculum and L&C prepares students for employment as directors; teachers and assistants in childcare programs, nursery schools or preschools, Head Start programs and school-age programs; and as a classroom assistant in the public schools.

Skills and Abilities: The Child Development student learns to plan, implement, and evaluate a wide variety of experiences designed to promote the language, intellectual, physical and social/emotional development of young children.

Areas of responsibility include providing for the general safety and welfare of children, helping children acquire the intellectual and social skills necessary to relate to their peers and adults, and encouraging the physical skills to be strong, healthy children. A graduate of the Child Development program is trained to observe children, plan developmentally appropriate activities that encourage growth in all the developmental areas, and evaluate the children’s progress.

If a student receives a grade below a “C” in any Child Development (CHDV) course on two occasions, or in any two CHDV courses, that student will be dismissed from Lewis and Clark Community College’s Child Development program. A student must have a passing grade of A, B, or C in CHDV 234  the first time the course is attempted as a prerequisite for CHDV 271  and internship sites must be approved by the coordinator.

Notes: Students must have a grade of “C” or better in all CHDV classes to graduate with the A.A.S degree.  Students must also have a favorable background check and physical for CHDV 234 and 271.  Appropriate prerequisite courses should be taken if the student does not meet college English and reading levels as determined by the College Placement Test in order to enroll in all CHDV courses.  Students enrolled in the certificate or the AAS degree program should carefully follow the sequence of classes listed in the catalog as some classes are only offered once a year or on the even years.  If you are interested in transferring to earn a bachelor degree in Early Childhood, please contact the program coordinator to find information on four-year school and required coursework.

Child Development - CHDV.AAS


Associate in Applied Science Degree

First Year


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Note: At this point in the program, students are eligible for Early Childhood Level 2 and Infant Toddler Level 2 Credentials

Summer Semester


  •  Child Development Elective (see list) 1-3 Credit Hours

Total: 1-3 credit hours


Second Year


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Spring Semester


Total: 14-16 Credit Hours


Note: At this point in the program, students are eligible for Early Childhood Credential Level 4

Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. in Child Development: 60


Students can also earn the Illinois Director Credential Level 2. Please contact the Program Coordinator for additional details.

 

Child Development - CHDV.CP


Certificate of Proficiency

Total: 15 Credit Hours


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Note: After completing the Child Development Certificate of Proficiency, students are eligible for Early Childhood Credential Level 2 and Infant and Toddler Level 2

Total credit hours for a Certificate of Proficiency in Child Development: 30


 

Early Childhood Level 3 - CHDV/ECL3.CP


Certificate of Proficiency

 

The Certificates of Completion offer a direct exit pathway designed for students who are in the field, or are seeking immediate employment and are pursuing Gateways Credentials to secure employment or progress within a current role. This pathway is designed with convenient on and off ramps-you can pursue an Early Childhood Level 2 Credential, for example, then later decide that you would like to attain your Early Childhood Level 3 Credential within the Certificate of Completion.


Early Childhood Level 2 - CHDV/ECL2.CC


Certificate of Completion

Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Early Childhood Level 2: 18



Early Childhood Level 1 - CHDV/ELC1.CC


Certificate of Completion

Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Level 1: 9


 

Illinois Director - CHDV/ILDIR.CC


Certificate of Completion

Total: 15 Credit Hours


Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Illinois Director: 15


  

Infant Toddler Level 2 - CHDV/ITL2.CC


Certificate of Completion

Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Infant Toddler Level 2: 9


 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Jump to Degree Planners