Program Coordinator John Phillips
Lewis and Clark offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and several certificates in Child Development that prepares the graduate to serve as a lead teacher or director of a child development program. Lewis and Clark is an entitled institution through Gateways; therefore, students can earn a Gateways Credential through the program’s course work.
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.
Program Learning Objectives
Introduce, maintain, and continue to grow standards of professional conduct and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally
Use their understanding of child development to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child
Plan, create, and implement learning opportunities and environments for the diverse learning needs of all children
Understand and articulate the purpose, benefits, and goals of assessments, observations, documentation, and other researched-based strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively impact the development of each child
Create respectful and reciprocal partnerships with families and communities that support and empower children and engage families in their children’s development and learning
Demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical evaluations of their work, make informed decisions that integrate ethical guidelines, and advocate for comprehensive educational practices and policies
Nature of Work: The Child Development curriculum prepares students for employment as directors, teachers, and assistants in a variety of early childhood programs and as classroom assistants in the public schools.
Skills and Abilities: Students learn 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. 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 - Fall Semester
CHDV 131 - Introduction To Child Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 137 - Observation & Assessment Of Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
MATH 129 - Business Mathematics 3 credit hours
or
Any Transfer Level MATH Course 3-5 credit hours (MATH 142 Math For Elementary Teachers I preferred)
Total: 15 Credit Hours
First Year - Spring Semester
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 136 - Exceptional Child 3 credit hours
CHDV 142 - Infant/Toddler Care 3 credit hours
CHDV 238 - Family, School & Community Relations 3 credit hours
LITT 140 - Children’s Literature 3 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 - Fall Semester
CHDV 232 - Curriculum For Young Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 234 - Children’s Laboratory 3 credit hours
CHDV 236 - Admin. Of A Child Development Prog. 3 credit hours
PSYC 131 - General Psychology 3 credit hours
or
SOCI 131 - Introduction to Sociology 3 credit hours
SPCH 131 - Public Speaking 3 credit hours
or
SPCH 145 - Public And Private Communication 3 credit hours
Total: 15 Credit Hours
Note: At this point in the program, students are eligible for Early Childhood Credential Level 3
Spring Semester
CHDV 240 - Seminar In Child Development 2 credit hours
CHDV 271 - Child Development Internship 3 credit hours
Child Development Elective (see list) 3-4 credit hours
MUSI 133 - Music For The Pre-School Teacher 3 credit hours
or
Fine Arts Elective 3 credit hours
Physical/Life Science Elective 3-4 credit hours (PHSC 130 - General Physical Science is required for SIUE)
Total: 14-16 Credit Hours
Approved Child Development Electives List
BIOL 130 - Fundamentals Of Biological Science 4 credit hours
CHDV 145 - School-Age Child Care 3 credit hours
CHDV 160 - Teaching Math in Early Childhood 3 credit hours
CHDV 170 - Discovering Montessori 3 credit hours
EDUC 236 - Language Development & Acquisition 3 credit hours
ENGL 132 - First-Year English II 3 credit hours
GEOG 132 - Geography By World Regions 3 credit hours
MKTG 240 - Social Media Marketing 3 credit hours
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
First Semester
CHDV 131 - Introduction To Child Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 137 - Observation & Assessment Of Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
MATH 129 - Business Mathematics 3 credit hours
or
Any Transfer Level MATH Course 3-5 credit hours (MATH 142 Math For Elementary Teachers I preferred)
Total: 15-16 Credit Hours
Second Semester
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 136 - Exceptional Child 3 credit hours
CHDV 142 - Infant/Toddler Care 3 credit hours
LITT 140 - Children’s Literature 3 credit hours
MUSI 133 - Music For The Pre-School Teacher 3 credit hours
or
Fine Arts Elective 3 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
Requirements:
CHDV 131 - Introduction To Child Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 137 - Observation & Assessment Of Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
CHDV 232 - Curriculum For Young Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 234 - Children’s Laboratory 3 credit hours
CHDV 238 - Family, School & Community Relations 3 credit hours
CHDV 160 - Teaching Math in Early Childhood 3 credit hours
or
MATH 129 - Business Mathematics 3 credit hours
or
Any Transfer Level Math Course 3-5 credit hours (MATH 142 Math For Elementary Teachers I preferred)
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
PSYC 131 - General Psychology 3 credit hours
or
SOCI 131 - Introduction to Sociology 3 credit hours
Total: 30 Credit Hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Proficiency and Gateways Early Childhood Level 3: 30
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
Requirements:
CHDV 131 - Introduction To Child Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 137 - Observation & Assessment Of Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
CHDV 238 - Family, School & Community Relations 3 credit hours
ENGL 131 - First-Year English I 3 credit hours
or
ENGL 137 - Technical Writing 3 credit hours
Total: 18 Credit Hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Early Childhood Level 2: 18
Early Childhood Level 1 - CHDV/ECL1.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
CHDV 131 - Introduction To Child Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
Total: 9 Credit Hours
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Level 1: 9
Illinois Director - CHDV/ILDIR.CC
Certificate of Completion
Requirements:
CHDV 232 - Curriculum For Young Children 3 credit hours
CHDV 234 - Children’s Laboratory 3 credit hours
CHDV 236 - Admin. Of A Child Development Prog. 3 credit hours
CHDV 271 - Child Development Internship 3 credit hours
MKTG 240 - Social Media Marketing 3 credit hours
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
Requirements:
CHDV 133 - Child Growth And Development 3 credit hours
CHDV 139 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3 credit hours
CHDV 142 - Infant/Toddler Care 3 credit hours
Total: 9 Credit Hours