All candidates for the child development major must complete a series of general education requirements, and must take the following prescribed core (37 hours) as well as an additional three courses (9-10 hours) from the list of approved electives. In addition to the child development major, students may choose to complete licensure requirements: child development with B-K licensure and child development with K-6 licensure.

Students may earn course credit in child development by studying abroad.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT COURSES

CD 234 THE PRESCHOOL CHILD 3 hours
study of the behavior and development of children two to eight years of age. Observation of and participation in the care and guidance of a group of preschool children at the Raleigh Preschool.

CD 334 INFANT & TODDLER DEVELOPMENT 3 hours
A study of the development of children from birth to age two, with emphasis on developmental trends, appropriate environments and practice.

Prerequisite: CD 234

CD 335 MARRIAGE & FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS 3 hours
A functional course designed to help the student achieve an understanding of family systems, personality, communication and decision making as related to successful marriage and family living.

CD 340 YOUNG CHILDREN'S LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS 3 hours
This course is designed to introduce the student to standards and methods for evaluating the quality and effectiveness of inclusive learning environments for young children. It will focus on how the structure and organization of the indoor and outdoor environments influence the development and learning of children, and how interactions with peers and adults influence development and learning. The role of play and the role of teacher-child interactions in facilitating the goals of inclusion and developmentally appropriate practice will be emphasized.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334.

CD 345 PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM 4 hours
Students will design and implement activities that integrate multiple developmental areas and levels of ability that are in accordance with the guidelines of developmentally appropriate practice. Placements will be in preschool programs that provide services for typically and atypically developing children. Instructor's consent required. Course fee assessed.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 340, CD 334 and BK 337

CD 434 INFANT CURRICULUM 3 - 4 hours
Methods of developing, implementing and evaluating curriculum experiences which are developmentally based for both typical and atypical infants and toddlers will be addressed. Program issues that relate to the needs of infants and toddlers and their families will be examined. Three hours of field experiences per week. Instructor’s consent required. Course fee assessed.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 340, CD 334.

CD 436 ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN 3 hours
A study of administration and the role of leadership in programs serving young children. Primarily through project and portfolio work, students will demonstrate competency in understanding the role of developmental theory in establishing and developing programs; the practical needs of programs in terms of staffing, financial management, licensing, environmental design, equipping and furnishing classrooms; working with parents and governing boards; and assessment and development of teaching staff. Health, safety and nutritional concerns will also be addressed. May be taken without prerequisite course with permission from the instructor.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, CD 340.

CD 438 SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES 3 hours
An overview of current information related to working with families of young children. Family and social systems theories and research provide a foundation for an ecological transactional view of families of diverse structural and sociocultural backgrounds. The emphasis of the course is on providing family-centered services that support and strengthen the family unit.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, BK 337, or consent of instructor.

CD 440 READINGS IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION & EARLY INTERVENTION 3 hours
This course will trace the history of early childhood, preschool education examining theoretically based preschool curriculum models and early intervention models. The course will also cover the evolution of legislative policy and practices in early education from both national and international perspectives. Current trends, legislative and policy issues will be investigated. Field work in early childhood classrooms and special programs will offer the opportunity for a student to begin or expand her current knowledge base.

Prerequisite: CD 234.

CD 450 ADVANCED PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR IN PRESCHOOL TEACHING 3 hours
Supervised student teaching will provide an in-depth opportunity for students to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction for young children. Student teaching is co-supervised by a cooperating classroom and a member of the child development faculty. In addition to 150 contact hours spent in the classroom, students will meet weekly to discuss, analyze and evaluate their field experiences.

Note: this requirement is waived for licensure students who have been admitted to teacher education.

Prerequisites: CD234, CD 334, CD 340 and CD 345.

CD 498 HONORS THESIS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT 3 hours

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will formulate and execute a research project at an advanced level of complexity that will culminate in a paper and a presentation.  The project must meet Honors Program thesis requirements as well as the expectations of the child development faculty. A research proposal form completed by the student, faculty mentor, and Honors Program director is required for registration.  Open to seniors who are members of the Honors and/or Teaching Fellows Programs.

CD 499 RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT  1 - 3 hours

In conjunction with a faculty mentor, the student will develop and conduct a research project investigating topics and questions in Child Development.  This course will provide an introduction to research methods in social science and child development.  The research experience will culminate in a paper and presentattion.  Open to junior and senior majors and othesr by permission of the instructor.  May be repeated for a total of six credit hours.  A research proposal form completed by the student and faculty mentor is required for registration.  Instructor's consent required. 

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, BK 337.

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BIRTH THROUGH KINDERGARTEN COURSES

BK 337 OBSERVATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN 3 hours
The history, philosophy and practice of observing, documenting and analyzing children’s behavior within an ecological framework will be presented. Specific observational techniques to assess adult-child and child-child interactions, assessment of play, and environmental assessment will be presented. Students will develop an assessment portfolio for individual children.

Prerequisites: PSY 210 or PSY 310, and CD 234, CD 334.

BK 341 VARIATIONS IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT 3 hours
An examination of biological and environmental factors and their interactions as they impact the development of young children, and may interfere with typical growth and development. The effects of various risk factors, developmental delays or disabilities on patterns of development in the physical, cognitive, language, social-emotional, and adaptive domains will be discussed.

Prerequisites: PSY 210 or PSY 310, PSY 312, CD 234, CD 334. Corequisite courses: CD 340, BK 342.

BK 342 PRACTICUM 1 hour
Placements in a variety of center-based settings that serve children of varying ages and abilities. This field-based experience will give students the opportunity to conduct observations designed to assess how the learning environment supports development and can be modified to meet individual children’s needs.

Prerequisites: PSY 210 or PSY 310 and PSY 312, CD 234, CD 334. Corequisite courses: CD 340, BK 341.

BK 350 EMERGENT LITERACY AND TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION 3 hours
This course focuses on the development of reading and writing processes from birth through kindergarten and how technology can be integrated across the curriculum. This course gives students a deeper understanding of the theory, research and recommended practices behind emergent literacy, focusing on the development of reading and writing. Students will develop an initial electronic teaching portfolio and will conduct literacy and technology activities in inclusive preschool and kindergarten settings.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, BK 33 and CD 345

BK 445 ADVANCED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (BLOCK COURSE) 3 hours
This course will focus on the application of developmental theory to curriculum planning and developmentally appropriate practice; on linking assessment and curriculum planning; and on adapting and evaluating curriculum to promote the integration of young children of various developmental levels and abilities. The course will also introduce students to the major theories, research and controversies regarding the emergence of literacy, writing and mathematical concepts and explore how assistive technology supports children’s development. This course is taken during the block semester concurrently with student teaching.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, CD 345, CD 340, CD 434, BK 337, BK 341, BK 342.

BK 460 CLINICAL INTERNSHIP: INFANTS/TODDLERS 3 hours
Supervised clinical internship with infants and toddlers under the direction of a cooperating teacher with faculty supervision. Full-time teaching assignments with weekly seminars. Course fee assessed. Instructor’s consent required.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, CD 345, CD 340, CD 434, BK 337, BK 341, BK 342. Corequisite courses: BK 465.

BK 465 TEAMING AND COLLABORATION 3 hours
This seminar will introduce students to the function of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams and the primary disciplines involved in the delivery of services to young children and their families. The role of the professional in assessment, planning, intervention and case management will be examined as will the mechanisms whereby interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary programs. Issues related to ethics and professional conduct will be discussed. Instructor’s consent required.

Prerequisites: CD 234, CD 334, CD 345, CD 340, CD 434, CD 438, BK 341, BK 342, BK 337. Corequisite courses: BK 460.

BK 469 FIELD EXPERIENCE 1 hour
This course provides the student with an opportunity to observe and work with a cooperating teacher for 12 hours a week for 5 to 6 weeks. The student will develop relationships with the children and teachers where she will do her student teaching. The student will become familiar with school policies, resources and personnel in preparation for her student teaching. The seminar, consisting of regular group meetings during the 5 to 6 week block period, will focus on effective teaching in North Carolina and professionalism.

Corequisite courses: BK 445, CD-436, EDU 490.

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