Family Life Education/Early Childhood Education

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Early Childhood Education

The early childhood education program prepares students for various careers working directly with children, families and other adults in the early childhood profession.

Diablo Valley College's early childhood education department has created a professional program that is in alignment with the California State Department of Education's Child Development Permit Matrix. Four of the six certificates offered prepare students for the following four levels of the permit matrix:

associate teacher
teacher
master teacher
site supervisor

Students working toward the master teacher certificate can achieve one or more of the following specializations:

creative expression
family child care/foster care provider
infants and toddlers
language and literature
science and math
sign language
special needs

Students who earn the master teacher certificate will also develop a professional portfolio.

Early childhood education students gain interpersonal relationship skills with children, families and colleagues. Through supervised teaching experiences, students develop the skills needed to set up a safe, healthy and stimulating environment that emphasizes good nutrition and provides opportunities for the children to engage in developmentally appropriate active play, quiet play and rest. Students learn to observe children's behaviors, develop activities based on each individual child's needs and interests, and plan for a responsive and challenging curriculum.