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The mission of the Child Development Department is to provide students with current and representative perspectives in theory and research in the field, bringing to the forefront of its curriculum evidence-based practices that are culturally and linguistically relevant to diverse children and families.
The Child Development Department embraces the scholar-practitioner model, which inspires students to: 1) engage in leadership and advocacy practices on behalf of culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families; 2) become lifelong learners knowledgeable of research, theory, developmental methodologies and practices, fieldwork experience, and relevant professional and ethical standards; 3) provide appropriate and effective responses to changing professional demands. Students may choose to have a concentration in Early Biliteracy Development, Early Intervention, or School-Age.
Both Associate of Arts and Bachelor's Degrees have been designed to include the competencies and guidelines as established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The degree program is also structured to meet the State of California Child Development Permit Matrix requirements for employment in preschools, child development centers and after-school sites, while also providing a strong basis for graduate school.
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For
more information about
NHU's
Child Development Department,
please contact Dr. Edirle Menezes at emenezes@nhu.edu or
by phone at (408) 729-2204, or Patricia Ruiz at pruiz@nhu.edu or at (408) 273-2208. |
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The vision of the Child Development Program is to provide a culturally and linguistically relevant model of education that increases the number of multicultural professionals who are able to acquire, analyze, and disseminate knowledge as they sustain a lifelong pursuit of developmental inquiry.
The Child Development degree paths prepare students to work in early care and education settings, to enter Multiple Subject credential programs needed for teaching in elementary schools, to pursue careers serving child and families in community agencies, Some of the career options for Child Development graduates are the following: Early Childhood Teacher/Assistant, Director of Child Development Programs, Family Day Care provider, Infant-Toddler Child Care provider/teacher, School Age Child Care Provider, Elementary School Pre-Teacher Training, Preschool and Child Development Center Administrator, Parent Educator, Human Services Agency Representative, Mental Health consultant, Elementary and Secondary School Staff Member, Child/Youth advocate in Social and Legal Arenas, Child and Family Counselor, and Public Health and Health Care Professional. In addition to entering careers in the child development field, students may also use the child development program as a bridge to graduate school, such as doctoral work in psychology, special education, social welfare, family health, college teaching, among other careers.
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The Child Development Department strives to create an optimal learning community which values and fosters inquiry and dialogue between and among students and faculty from diverse backgrounds. The goals of the Department in Child Development are to cultivate professionals who: |
- Demonstrate knowledge on major contemporary research-based approaches and core concepts in child development.
- Develop and implement best practices that respond to the specific developmental and individual needs of children and are, at the same time, culturally and linguistically relevant to children and their families.
- Critically analyze and evaluate current leadership, advocacy and policy issues in child development, and their impact on the lives of children and families.
- Engage in and promote reflective interdisciplinary practice through collaboration with other professionals and strive for lifelong learning.
- Interpret and implement authentic assessment strategies in order to improve learning, modify practices, and make curricular decisions.
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