Child Development
Associate of Arts Childhood Education · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Behavioral and Social Sciences Division www.elcamino.edu/academics/behavioralsocial
The child development program prepares students for careers in private or public programs serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs, or children in before and after school care. The transfer degree option prepares students to continue studies at a four-year institution and major in Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Human Development, or Education. Students will acquire the ability to apply developmental theories in observing and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains and will develop skills needed for working effectively with families, co-workers, and community agencies. Students will also gain the ability to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum. Program assessment will be conducted regularly through examinations, presentations, student self-assessment, portfolios, and tracking student employment and promotion in the teaching field.
A minimum of 12 units of the major requirements must be completed at El Camino College.
For Gainful Employment program information, please visit www.elcamino.edu/academics/behavioralsocial/childhooded/index.asp.
Required Core: 18 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CDEV 103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CDEV 104 | The Home, The School, The Community | 3 |
| CDEV 108 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 112 | Teaching Young Children in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CDEV 114 | Observing and Assessing Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 150 | Introduction to Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| orCDEV 152 | Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
6 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CDEV 115 | Introduction to Curriculum | 3 |
| CDEV 116 | Creative Art for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 117 | Music and Movement for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 118 | Science and Math for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 119 | Language Arts for Young Children | 3 |
3 units from:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CDEV 106 | Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| CDEV 107 | Infant/Toddler Development | 3 |
| CDEV 110 | Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 |
| CDEV 115 | Introduction to Curriculum | 3 |
| CDEV 116 | Creative Art for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 117 | Music and Movement for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 118 | Science and Math for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 119 | Language Arts for Young Children | 3 |
| CDEV 125 | Child Development Practicum | 3 |
| CDEV 129 | Introduction to Program Administration | 3 |
| CDEV 130 | Principles of Program Administration | 3 |
| CDEV 131 | Supervising and Mentoring Adults | 3 |
| CDEV 150 | Introduction to Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| CDEV 152 | Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| CDEV 165 | Autism, ADHD, Physical and Health Impairments | 3 |
Total Major Units: 27
Note: Proof of a valid Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification and immunizations may be required for employment.
Preparation for the Child Development Transfer Major
For information on specific university major requirements, please obtain a transfer curriculum guide sheet in the Counseling Services Center, consult with your counselor, or visit the Transfer Center. You may use the transfer major requirements to help you fulfill your associate degree requirements.
GE Patterns
Complete one of the following:
ECC GE: 24 units
Required for local degrees (AA and AS).
Cal-GETC: 34 units
Required for transfer degrees (AA-T and AS-T).
Electives
As needed to reach a minimum of 60 degree-applicable units.
Minimum Degree Total: 60 units