Orientation

Course Orientation

 

Introduction

 

Congratulations on your successful completion of the prerequisite course, CCS3110: Early Learning and Child Care 1!

 

SPICE of Life is a mnemonic that refers to children’s social, physical, intellectual, creative, emotional, and language development. A mnemonic is a group of words that helps you remember something. In this case, each letter in “SPICE of Life” helps you remember the six developmental areas.

 

CCS3120 is a one-credit course focused on children’s physical, intellectual, and language development as well as on the interwoven nature of these developmental areas—how development in one area influences and is influenced by development in the other areas. The other areas (social-emotional and creative) will be studied in CCS3130: Early Learning and Child Care 3.

 

Session Overviews

 

Session 1: Physical Development

 

In Session 1 you will learn about the stages of children’s physical development from birth to six years of age. After examining some of the factors that may influence growth and motor development, you will learn ways to promote children’s physical development and physical safety in a child care setting.

 

Session 2: Intellectual Development

 

Session 2 will focus your attention on how children develop intellectually. You will explore ways to support children’s thinking and you will learn how to enrich the child care environment to promote learning.

 

Session 3: Language Development

 

As you work through Session 3, you will learn about the language development in the first six years of a child’s life. You will also learn how, as a child care provider, you can promote children’s language development.

 

Course Project

 

While completing Sessions 1 to 3, you will apply your learning as you construct a strategies box.

 

Assessment

 

Each session includes learning activities. Your course grade will be determined through these activities. As you progress through this course, you and your teacher will decide the weighting of each session and individual learning activities within each session.

 

You will also observe and interact with children and child care providers in a child care facility. You will spend approximately 10–12 hours in a child care facility.

 

Timelines

 

The time allotted for this course is 25 hours. There are four sessions. Each session will take approximately 4.5 hours to complete. You may need more time to complete some sessions and less time to complete others. As you work through the course, you will also spend time developing a course strategies box as your course project. You will finish by completing the Course Summary.

 

Course Project: Strategies Box

 

Focus

 

CCS3120 and CCS3130 include sessions focused on young children’s physical, intellectual, language, social, emotional, and creative development. As a child care provider, it is essential that you understand and are able to plan activities that promote children’s development in each of these areas.

 

As you work through CCS3120, you will be given some prompts to construct a strategies box, which will be submitted as your course project. You will work on this project throughout the course, and you will submit it at the end of the course. It is your responsibility to remember to continue to work on your strategies box, regardless of whether or not you see a prompt.

 

 

Directions

 

Step 1: Upon completing CCS3120 your strategies box should include a mix of items you could use with children to promote their physical, intellectual, and language development. Use the following criteria to construct your strategies box.

 

Your box should meet the following requirements:

• be the right size to fit the contents
• be able to safely hold the contents
• be clearly identified as a strategies box (This does not mean that the box must be labelled “Strategies Box.”)

Your box should include a minimum of ten items that

• are creatively constructed from everyday, household objects (Items must not be purchased.)
• are appropriate for, and can be used safely by, young children who are under supervision in a child care facility
• reflect course content (i.e., developmental areas and milestones)
• are original

For each item,

• include a strategy that is creative

• explain how the item can be used with a child or group of children who are between the ages of zero to six years

• identify which areas (physical, intellectual, language) will be developed as the child interacts with the item (When the physical area is being promoted, indicate whether fine or gross motor skills will be developed.)

Your strategies can be communicated by any of the following:

• written or spoken words
• pictures or diagrams
• demonstrations
• a combination of some or all of the above

 

Step 2: At the end of this course, review the Student Rubric for Course Project: Strategies Box. Assess your work and make any necessary adjustments.

 

Step 3: Then, share items and strategies included in your Strategies Box with a peer or a friend. Give your peer or friend the Peer Rubric for Course Project: Strategies Box. Have your peer or friend assess your work, and then make any necessary adjustments.

 

 

Exemplar

 

This clock is an example of an item that could be included in a strategies box.

 

The strategies might be as follows:

• Child can identify numbers and/or colours—promotes intellectual and language development.

• Child can tell and show time—promotes physical (fine motor skills), intellectual, and language development.

Icon Legend

 

The following icons are included in this course as visual reminders of what you need to do:

 

 

Checking In

 

 

 

You will need to contact your teacher.

 

 

Checking My Understanding

 

 

 

You will complete an activity to see how well you understand the information presented.

 

 

Child Care Facility

 

 

 

You will need to go to a child care facility to complete an activity.

 

 

Course Project

 

 

 

You will work on your course project.

 

Toolkit

 

The Toolkit is a library of the important documents presented to you throughout the course. Go to the Toolkit at any time to see the following documents and all of the rubrics and checklists:

• Protocol for Working with Children and Child Care Providers
• Course Completion Checklist

Student Expectations

 

In order to earn credit in this course and in the other Early Learning and Child Care courses, you must achieve a mark of not less than 50%. This mark will represent an average of marks achieved for all curriculum outcomes.

 

You must obtain credit in each of the Early Learning and Child Care courses (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, CCS3150) in order to be eligible for the Child Development Assistant Certificate.

 

To help you keep track of your progress in CCS3120, use the Course Completion Checklist, which is also available in the Toolkit. Download and save the Course Completion Checklist to your computer now, and remember to use it as you work through the course.

 

Support Expectations

 

Your teacher is available to support you by doing the following:

• addressing any questions or concerns you have about the course content or the learning activities
• assessing your competency (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) and communicating your progress to you
• supporting you in understanding the terms related to early learning and child care

File Management

 

You will be asked to save your learning activities and other work in a course folder on your computer.

 

To create a course folder on your desktop, right-click on your desktop, click on “New,” and then on “Folder.” Name the folder with the appropriate course name. To create sub-folders, double-click to open the folder you just created. Under the “File” menu, click on “New,” and then on “Folder.” Create as many sub-folders as you require, usually one for each session plus one for the summary. Need help? Talk with your teacher or search the Internet for instructions and demonstrations.

 

You will need to have a discussion with your teacher to determine when and how the work you save in your course folder should be submitted to your teacher.

 

Preparing to Go to a Child Care Facility

 

You are required to spend time and to complete some learning activities in a child care facility where you will have access to children aged zero to five years. If possible, it is recommended that you do all of your work at the same facility. The following is a list of acceptable types of child care facilities:

• licensed child care (day care) centre
• licensed preschool (sometimes called a nursery school or playschool)
• approved family day home agency
• licensed out-of-school care program with children aged five years old

 

Read and discuss with your teacher the Protocol for Working with Children and Child Care Providers, which is also available in the Toolkit.

 

Because children are the most vulnerable members of society, a current (dated within six months) Criminal Record Check is usually required in order to work, volunteer, or observe children in a child care facility. Contact your local police department to find out how to apply for a Criminal Record Check.

 

Certification and Careers

 

Child Development Assistant Certification

 

A Child Development Assistant Certificate is issued by Alberta Children and Youth Services and entitles you to work at a licensed preschool program, out-of-school care program, day care centre, or approved family day home agency.

 

The training required to receive the Child Development Assistant Certificate can be obtained by completing any one of the following three programs:

• Early Learning and Child Care 1–5 courses (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, and CCS3150) in high school

• Child Care Orientation Course (funded by Alberta Children and Youth Services) at an Alberta post-secondary college or online

• a three-credit (45-hour) post-secondary course in the field of early learning and child care

If you take the courses in high school, you must submit an application and proof of course completion (e.g., transcripts or teacher recommendation) to the Child Development Branch of Alberta Children and Youth Services in order to obtain a Child Development Assistant Certificate. This application is available on the Alberta Children and Youth Services website.

 

For more information, read the following requirements for certification as a Child Development Assistant.

 

Requirements for Certification as a Child Development Assistant

 

In order to to obtain certification as a child development assistant, you must

• demonstrate an understanding of all learning outcomes included in Early Learning and Child Care 1–5 (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, and CCS3150) or in the Child Care Orientation Course
  
  
• complete ALL learning activities included in, and obtain a passing grade in, Early Learning and Child Care 1–5 (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, and CCS3150) or in the Child Care Orientation Course (At this point, your teacher may provide you with a recommendation for certification as a Child Development Assistant.)
  
  
• be at least 16 years old
  
  
• complete an Application for Child Care Certification, available from Alberta Children and Youth Services.
  
  
• submit your completed application and either your teacher’s recommendation or a copy of your high school transcript, which verifies completion of Early Learning and Child Care 1–5 (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, CCS3150), to the address provided on the Application for Child Care Certification

Enrolling in a Post-Secondary Early Learning and Child Care Program

 

If you have successfully completed Early Learning and Child Care 1–5 (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, and CCS3150) and are planning to continue your studies in early learning and child care in an Alberta post-secondary program, you are eligible to receive a scholarship worth $2500. The High School Child Care Career Scholarship is sponsored by Alberta Children and Youth Services.

 

You can get the application for this scholarship from the Alberta Children and Youth Services website. Choose the Programs and Services tab at the top of the page, and then browse to Child Care from either the menu on the left of the page or from the links on the Programs and Services page. Browse to Forms and Guides, and then select High School/Child Care Career Scholarship Application. While on the website, look for other information on professional development funding to achieve higher levels of certification in the future.

 

Entering the Workforce After High School

 

A Child Development Assistant Certificate entitles you to work at a licensed preschool program, out-of-school care (OSC) program, day care program, or approved family day home agency. When starting work for the first time at either an out-of-school program or day care program, you will be entitled to a $2500 Staff Attraction Incentive Allowance through Alberta Children and Youth Services. Hourly wage top-ups are also available if the child care program is accredited or working toward accreditation.

 

You will need to apply for these benefits within two months of starting your job, and you will be paid once you have worked for at least 80 hours per month for one year (40 hours per month for OSC programs).

 

To learn more about the Staff Attraction Incentive Allowance or about Alberta Children and Youth Services-sponsored wage top-ups and Professional Development Funding Grants, check out the Forms and Guides page on the Programs and Services tab of the Alberta Children and Youth Services website.

 

Did You Know?

 

Many career pathways can begin with the knowledge and skills you will gain by taking Early Learning and Child Care courses. Some of these careers include the following:

• early childhood educator
• early childhood professional
• child care program director
• child development worker
• family support worker
• child counsellor
• family enhancement worker
• family-school liaison
• school teacher

Environmental Impact

 

Stop! Consider the environment before you print!

 

Can you think of ways to recycle to reduce computer waste? Here are a few recycling strategies to remember as you complete this course:

• paper reduction and recycling
• toner cartridge recycling
• computer equipment recycling

CCS3120 Learn EveryWare © 2010 Alberta Education