ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: LIBERAL STUDIES WITH CHILD DEVELOPMENT EMPHASIS (PK-6 PREP)

The Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education: Liberal Studies with Child Development Emphasis (PK-6 Prep) is designed to provide students with a foundational coursework pattern necessary for entering upper-division requirements in a baccalaureate teacher preparation program. This program emphasizes the development of competencies in critical thinking and communication, both spoken and written, while covering essential elementary subject matter. It also includes 14-16 of the 24 PK-3 unit requirements established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. For students seeking to transfer, this pathway is especially well-aligned with the requirements at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, offering the most seamless transition for those continuing their education there. The courses within this degree meet the first two year course requirements for the 2+2 Liberal Studies program taught on the Cuesta College campus and the Liberal Studies program taught at Cal Poly.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Design and implement curriculum that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate, based on foundations of early childhood education and knowledge of individual children.
2. Identify early childhood educators' professional roles, requirements, and responsibilities, including observation and assessment, reflection, effective communication, ethical practice, responsibilities to children and families, and commitment to ongoing professional development.
3. Apply foundational knowledge in Child Development to address challenging behaviors in the classroom, using developmentally and culturally appropriate strategies, and to work effectively with diverse student populations, recognizing unique challenges and histories.
4. Apply foundational knowledge and theories of child development, birth to age eight, including typical/atypical behaviors and major milestones. Interpret children's behavior within a cultural and family context and recognize the importance of the adult-child relationship for healthy development.
5. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and proficiency in foundational content areas for a multiple subject teaching credential program.
6. Evaluate and analyze fieldwork experiences in diverse public elementary school classroom settings through structured observations and intentional reflection practices.