Brief Description

The Early Childhood Education certificate is designed for people interested in becoming teachers, or classroom assistants in early childhood, early elementary, special education or other settings caring for and educating young children. Emphasis is placed on active student involvement, observation, participation, and practical experience. Credits earned may be applied to an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The certificate in Infant and Toddler Care may be applied toward this certificate.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:

• Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children
• Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children's self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment to meet individual children's needs and group needs
• Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
• Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
• Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community members

Brief Description

The Early Childhood Education State Certificate is designed to meet the Washington State Career Lattice guidelines for people interested in becoming teacher assis-tants in early childhood, early elementary, special education or other settings caring for and educating young children. Emphasis is placed on active student in-volvement, observation, participation, and practical experience. Classes help adults increase their understanding of the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children and to apply developmentally appropriate guidance and curriculum methods to meet the individual and group needs of children and their families. Credits earned may be applied to the 90 credit Associate in Arts Degree Early Childhood Education and AAS-T Early Childhood Education Transfer Degree.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:

• Build and value diverse family and community relationships and support by demonstrating their understanding of the importance and complex characteristics of children's families and communities.
• Observe, document and assess young children and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development.
• Connect with children and families by knowing, understanding, and using positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
• Use developmentally effective approaches by knowing, understanding, and using a wide array of approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children's development and learning.
• Utilize content knowledge in early education by applying the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and academic subjects; and use resources to deepen their understanding.
• Identify, explain, and apply appropriate guidance techniques and theories as an important classroom management tool.
• Identify, explain, and apply nutrition, health and safety practices and procedures appropriate for use when teaching young children.
• Write clearly and effectively for varied audiences and purposes.
• Use, analyze and draw inferences from numerical and symbolic modes of communication.
• Be engaged as members of the Early Childhood profession and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.

Brief Description

The Early Childhood Education Short Certificate of Specialization in General ECE is designed to meet the Washington State Career Lattice guidelines for people in-terested in becoming teacher assistants in early childhood, early elementary, special education or other settings caring for and educating young children. Emphasis is placed on active student involvement, observation, participation, and practical experience. Classes help adults increase their understanding of the physical, intel-lectual, emotional and social development of children and to apply developmentally appropriate guidance and curriculum methods to meet the individual and group needs of children and their families.Credits earned may be applied to the 47 credit Early Childhood Education State Certificate and the 90 credit Associate in Arts Degree Early Childhood Education and AAS-T Early Childhood Education Transfer Degree.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:

• Observe, document and assess young children and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development.
• Connect with children and families by knowing, understanding, and using positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
• Identify, explain, and apply appropriate guidance techniques and theories as an important classroom management tool.
• Identify, explain, and apply nutrition, health and safety practices and procedures appropriate for use when teaching young children.
• Be engaged as members of the Early Childhood profession and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice

Brief Description

The Early Childhood Education Short Certificate of Specialization in Infant and Toddler Care is designed to meet the Washington State Career Lattice guidelines for people interested in caring for and educating young children from birth to age 3 in a variety of child care settings. Emphasis is placed on active student involvement, observation, participation, and practical experience. Classes help adults increase their understanding of the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of children and to apply developmentally appropriate guidance and curriculum methods to meet the individual and group needs of children and their families. Cred-its earned may be applied to the 47 credit Early Childhood Education State Certificate and the Associate in Arts Degree Early Childhood Education and AAS-T Early Childhood Education Transfer Degree.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:

• Observe, document and assess young children and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development.
• Connect with children and families by knowing, understanding, and using positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
• Use developmentally effective approaches by knowing, understanding, and using a wide array of approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children's development and learning.
• Identify, explain, and apply appropriate guidance techniques and theories as an important classroom management tool.
• Identify, explain, and apply nutrition, health and safety practices and procedures appropriate for use when teaching young children.
• Be engaged as members of the Early Childhood profession and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.

Brief Description

The Certificate of Accomplishment in Infant and Toddler Care is designed for people interested in caring for and educating infants and toddlers in child care settings. Emphasis is placed on active student involvement, observation, participation, and practical experience. Credits earned may be applied to a certificate or associate degree in Early Childhood Education.

Learning Outcomes

Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:

• Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for infants and toddlers
• Provide individualized care routines for infants and toddlers
• Develop and practice strategies that promote healthy attachment for the child
• Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children's self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment to meet individual children's needs and group needs
• Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
• Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
• Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community member