Early Childhood Curriculum (SC)
Program Overview:
Create Engaging, Dynamic Lessons to Help Your Classes Grow & Thrive!
You want to help others succeed, particularly children, and you have taken an interest in developing the plans that shape the education children receive. Developing a curriculum is more than the lessons taught; it’s the environment designed to keep children focused and the methods of teaching that instill a lifelong love of learning.
With a Skill Certificate in Early Childhood Curriculum, you will learn the ins and outs of creating a curriculum focused on age-appropriate, play-based learning modes and have the knowledge needed to establish a curriculum that meets developmental needs. Use the skills learned in your teaching career or be part of a growing field of curriculum designers and instructional coordinators.
Careers in Early Childhood Curriculum
If you’re choosing this career path, you want to create the curriculum that will prepare your students for their next educational endeavor. Working in this field requires attention to detail and a broad understanding of child development through age 8.
Here are some possible occupations you can work towards by having an Early Childhood Curriculum Skill Certificate:
Career information below is taken from bls.gov in November 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Oversee school curricula and teaching standards; develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $82,620/year | $39.72/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more |
5% increase |
6,630 |
Plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $60,870/year | $29.26/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| Less than 5 years | 9% increase (faster than average) |
306,400 |
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic and non-academic activities of preschool and childcare centers or programs
National data
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $53,550/year | $25.74/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 2% increase (little or no change) |
49,130 |
Instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $70,310/year | $33.80/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 2% increase (slower than average) |
3,540 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Early Childhood Curriculum
With your Skill Certificate in Early Childhood Curriculum, you’ll be equipped to create a curriculum for children under age 8. You may want to apply the skills you’ve learned in a career as a teacher, or use your knowledge to design curriculum to assist elementary school teachers:
- Advance your knowledge in the creation of a curriculum in early childhood education so you will know the core principles, strategies, techniques, and outcomes behind a successful and engaging curriculum.
- Understand the new trends and strategies within early childhood development so you can help foster a love of learning in young children.
- Want to get a bachelor’s degree? If you haven’t received your associate degree, LASC offers associate degrees in Child Development, as well as an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree that can guarantee you admission into a CSU and some UCs! Save money on your first two years of college learning from passionate, dedicated faculty before transferring to a four-year college or university. Visit your academic counselor to find out more.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review LASC’s Skill Certificate in Early Childhood Curriculum, and our suggested course of study for this program. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog [link to Course Catalog] for specific course information:
Total Units Required: 15
| Required Courses: | Units: |
|---|---|
| CH DEV 1 Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CH DEV 2 Early Childhood: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| CH DEV 7 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| CH DEV 8 Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Select Any Two Additional Curriculum Courses: | |
| CH DEV 9 Advanced Curriculum: Art in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CH DEV 16 The Growing Brain I: From Birth to Five Years Old | 2 |
| CH DEV 17 The Growing Brain II: From Birth to Five Years Old | 2 |
| CH DEV 27 Advanced Curriculum: Science and Math in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CH DEV 28 Advanced Curriculum: Music, Movement & Language Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| CH DEV 58 Transitional Kindergarten | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 16-18 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in a career in teaching or education? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your early childhood education career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career goals to see if getting an associate or even transferring to a four-year college or university may be beneficial for you goals for your future.
- Still in high school? Contact local elementary schools and preschools to see if you could observe for an afternoon to watch teachers in action. Talk with your high school counselor to see if they can recommend any local opportunities that you could be a part of.
Grants
Make the most with your time at LASC, and gain career experience while meeting and working with others who want to further their knowledge and experience for a thriving career in child development:
Child Development Teacher Grant – get money to help pay for your child development education so you can enter the field of childcare and development in a licensed children’s center.