Children’s Development Associate (CDA) Syllabus

DC 1707 - 420 W 45th St, NYC 212-219-0022

Course Overview

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Certificate includes a well-balanced view of a child’s developmental process, and information of various issues including health, safety, and pedagogy. Through this program, you will earn the 120 hours of professional development required by the Council of Professional Recognition for CDA certification.

Required Textbooks – both are available at the CDA Council website (www.cdacouncil.org) or calling 800-424-4310.

The CDA National Credentialing Program & Competency Standards, Council for Professional Development

Essentials for Working with Young Children, Council for Professional Development

Course Materials

3-4 inch binder

Sheet protectors

Dividers with tabs

Resources

TBD

Course Schedule

Class / Subject / Readings/Assignments
#1 / Introduction to the CDA class & Process / Syllabus, Textbooks, CDA Application & Contact Info. (email & phone)
#2 / Discussion of Competency Essays & Resources for CDA Portfolio / CDA Portfolio Handout, sample essays & resources, Homework: students will receive Parent Questionnaires to distribute to parents/caregivers in classroom.
#3 / Competency Standard (C.S.) 1a-c – To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph.
Homework – collect 1 sample weekly menu (the week doesn’t matter), 1 weekly lesson plan (the week doesn’t matter) from your classroom (these are part of the portfolio (Competency Standards book pages 40-55)
#4 / Competency Standard (C.S.) 1a – Sample Menu / Students will analyze the sample menu and write a paragraph for C.S. 1a using the template. (Essentials, pages 52-59).
#5 / Competency Standard (C.S.) 1b – Classroom Environment / Students will analyze their classroom environment and write a paragraph for C.S. 1b using the template. (Essentials, pages 76-87)
#6 / Competency Standard (C.S.) 1c – Weekly Lesson Plan / Students will analyze the sample weekly lesson plan and write a paragraph for C.S. 1c using the template. (Essentials, pages 95-109)

#7 Completion of C.S. 1 Students will complete writing C.S. 1

#8 / Competency C.S. 2a-d – To advance physical and intellectual competence. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages 56-74)
#9 / C.S. 2 – Learning Experiences (Lesson Plans – part of portfolio) / Learning Experiences 1-3 (Science/Sensory, Language & Literacy & Creative Arts).
#10 / C.S. 2 – Learning Experiences (Lesson Plans – part of portfolio) / Learning Experiences 4-6 (Fine Motor, Gross Motor, Self-Concept)
#11 / C.S. 2 – Learning Experiences (Lesson Plans– part of portfolio ) / Learning Experiences 7-9 (Emotional Skills/regulation, Social Skills, Mathematics)
Class / Subject / Readings/Assignments
#12 / C.S. 2a – Physical learning experience / Students will choose a learning experience they created that focuses on physical development and write 1 paragraph
#13 / C.S. 2b – Cognitive learning experience / Students will choose a learning experience they created that focuses on cognitive development and write 1 paragraph
#14 / C.S. 2c – Creative learning experience / Students will choose a learning experience they created that focuses on creative development and write 1 paragraph
#15 / C.S. 2d – Communication/Language learning experience / Students will choose a learning experience they created that focuses on communication/language development and write 1 paragraph
#16 / Completion of C.S. 2 / Students will complete writing C.S. 2. Homework: Students will return Parent Questionnaires
#17 / C.S. 3a-b – to support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages 75-90, Essentials, pages 217-272)
#18 / C.S. 3a – Supporting the development of children’s positive self-concepts & growing social/emotional skills / Students will complete writing C.S. 3a.
#19 / C.S. 3b – Supporting positive behavior in children. / Students will complete writing C.S. 3b.
#20 / Bibliography ( Part of portfolio) / Homework: Students will compile 10 books from their library to create their bibliography with template.
#21 / Completion of C.S. 3 / Students will complete writing C.S. 3.
#22 / C.S. 4a-c – To establish positive and productive relationships with families. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages 91-98; Essentials pages 274-302)
#23 / C.S. 4a – Describe how families are kept aware of what occurs in the student’s daily/weekly life in the program? / Students will complete a paragraph on C.S. 4a.
#24 / C.S. 4b – Describe how you ensure your awareness of what’s happening in each child’s home life. / Students will complete a paragraph on C.S. 4b.
#25 / C.S. 4c – Family Questionnaires Feedback / Students will complete a paragraph on C.S. 4c. Begin C.S. 5.
#26 / C.S. 5 – To ensure a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to participants needs. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages 99-101, Essentials, pages 303-324)
#27 / C.S. 6 – To maintain a commitment to professionalism. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages 99-101, Essentials, pages 303-324)
#28 / C.S. 6a-b
6a - Reflect on why you became an early childhood profession.
6b – Reflect on the most important indicators of professionalism you possess. / Competency standard format w/template. Introductory paragraph. (Competency Standards book pages102-104, Essentials, pages 325-345)
#29 / Professional Philosophy Statement
#30 / Portfolio Review
#31 / Portfolio Review
#32 / Portfolio Review & Class Wrap-up

Homework/Assignments

.All homework and other assignments are given specifically to prepare each student’s individual portfolio. All portfolios will be reviewed by the Instructor – if a portfolio is not complete, you will not receive the paperwork for 120 hours needed for the CDA certificate. The portfolio will also be reviewed by the Professional Development Specialist - PDS (Classroom Observer) assigned to you once your application is complete and payment is made to the CDA Council (using the E.I.P Scholarship, or your own funds).

Fall 2016 / Page 1