The second in a two-course sequence designed to help candidates acquire skills, knowledge and documentation for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The CDA is a national performance-based credential awarded to teachers, caregivers, home visitors and, administrators, who work with children from birth to age five. This course will cover the following CDA topics: To Advance Physical and Intellectual Competence; Program Management; and Maintain a Commitment to Professionalism. Students in this course, will finalize their 13 Professional Portfolio resources and 6 competency statements required by the CDA Council. The CDA credentialing process will also be discussed to prepare students for the final steps in the application process. This course can be used to satisfy part of the 120 clock hours of instruction required by the CDA Council.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Orientation and Overview of the Child Development Associate (CDA) process
- Functional Area: Physical development
- Functional Area: Cognitive development
- Functional Area: Communication
- Functional Area: Creativity
- Program Management
- Professionalism
- Readiness for the CDA Assessment Process
- Describe the CDA credentialing process.
- Evaluate child care methods that have been known to enhance children’s physical and intellectual development.
- Explain the importance of Cognitive Development in supporting children's learning and development.
- Describe the different phases of communication skills for children birth to five.
- Explain how teachers can support children's creativity in the classroom.
- Identify different strategies for managing an effective program operation.
- Discuss the many attributes of a professional early childhood educator.
- Demonstrate knowledge in the 6 competency Goals of the 13 functional areas of the CDA process.
Assessment and Requirements
The assessment of academic achievement will use projects, assignments and tests.
To qualify for the Child Development Associate (CDA) assessment, the candidate must:
1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Have a high school diploma, GED, or be working towards either.
3. Be able to speak, read and write English well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA candidate.
4. Be able to provide documentation of 120 clock hours of in-class instruction.
5. Through employment or volunteer work, show proof of 480 clock hours (within the last three years) working in a state-licensed setting providing
care for young children ages birth-5 years. Hours working with kindergarten children can't be used for the 480 clock hours.
6. Choose a CDA focus of either Infant/Toddler, Preschool or Family Child Care, or Home Visitor.
7. Be willing to choose and arrange an evaluation by a PDS who will observe you in a child care setting and check your completed portfolio.
8. Be willing to pay the CDA Council Application Fee of $425 to be evaluated by the PDS and to take the final CDA test.
The following NAEYC Associate Degree Standards are met by this course at the understanding or application level:
1. Promoting Child Development and Learning:
* 1a: Knowing and understanding young children's characteristics and needs.
2. Building Family and Community Relationships:
* 2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse families and communities.
* 2b: Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
4. Using Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families:
* 4a: Knowing, understanding, and using positive relationships.
* 4b: Knowing, understanding, and using effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education.
5. Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum:
* 5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines.
6. Becoming a Professional:
* 6a: Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field.
* 6b: Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other early childhood professional guidelines.
* 6c: Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and
as a professional resource.
Determined by the Department Lead Instructor.
Outcomes
Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Students with a current CDA credential may request credit for prior learning. The student must scan, fax, mail or hand deliver a copy of the CDA Credential to the program director. Students will find the application for CPCLL at the following URL https://www.hfcc.edu/registration-and-records/prior-college-level-learn….