Graduate Certificate in Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field

Education professionals in this course critically examine typical and atypical physical, cognitive/language, and social and emotional development. They examine the powerful and important influence of cultural and linguistic diversity on the development of children from the prenatal stage through age 8. They also examine new findings related to the factors that foster and impede healthy development and learning, and they explore how adults can support healthy development. Additionally, education professionals have the opportunity to observe children in a variety of settings to gain practical insight on the developing child in the real-world.

Researchers indicate that long-term benefits from early childhood programs result only when the programs are of high quality. In this course, education professionals explore the components essential to program effectiveness, including planning for, improving, and evaluating program quality. They learn research-based, effective practices for promoting learning and development across developmental domains and subject matter areas in children from birth through age 8. Education professionals transfer new knowledge and skills to an authentic context through practical assignments, such as reflective blog posts and real-world observations of professionals in the field.

Leaders in the early childhood field must have in-depth understanding of the critical issues and trends affecting young children, their families, and the field. Education professionals in this course explore changing demographics; political and economic influence on programmatic funding streams; current debates related to school success, effective assessment and the achievement gap; and brain research influence on early development, care, and education from a historical and current perspective. Sharing perspectives and making connections with the professional world, educational professionals post blogs to establish contacts with early childhood professionals; reach out to international contacts in the field to gain an understanding poverty issues in different regions, issues related to excellence at the forefront of professional discussions, and insight on further development opportunities; and share Web resources, such as websites and e-newsletters. 

The early childhood field offers a variety of opportunities for early childhood professionals to teach and work with adults. These professionals must understand the principles of adult learning. Education professionals in this course explore the major theories of adult learning and motivation to prepare to work in such roles as higher education faculty, community trainers, technical assistance providers, parent educators, coaches, mentors, professional developers, and Child Development Associate (CDA) trainers. The share ideas and perspectives with peers through discussions on a variety of topics, including traditional learning theories and andragogy, theories of cognitive development, and adult learning models, among others. Additionally, education professionals synthesize and apply various theories to real-world situations, including their own development; summarize how the idea of wisdom impacts their experiences as adult learners; interview an adult learner; and assess various perspectives in regard to educating diverse learners.

In this course, education professionals focus on strategies and techniques integral to working effectively with adults in the early childhood field in such roles as higher education faculty, community trainers, technical assistance providers, parent educators, coaches, and mentors. Education professionals gain practical experience in planning learning experiences, assessing and modifying instruction, and incorporating technology in teaching geared specifically to the unique strengths and needs of the adult learner. Additionally, they examine the distinctions between teaching in the early childhood field at a community college or university, and they explore ways to provide professional development for early childhood practitioners and support to adults working with young children and families in community settings.