# Liberal Arts: Elementary Education Emphasis (A.A. Degree)

Gavilan College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Child Development and Education Studies

Source: https://gavilan.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/4089/4099/4125

This emphasis recognizes that teachers play a vital role in the development of children, introducing them to numbers, language, science, and social studies. Elementary teachers facilitate student learning through interactive class discussions, educational activities, “hands-on” learning, and one-on-one assistance. This emphasis offers a core of interdisciplinary and specialized courses that provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for communicating concepts to children, and an introduction to social, political and economic issues that influence the field of public education.

**Learning Outcome(s):**

1.  Students who complete this emphasis will use their understanding of young childrens' characteristics, needs and multiple interacting influences to create learning environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children. Since students will have experienced actual classrooms with actual children, they will decide if a career in teaching young children is right for them.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Area A:** | |  |
| **Complete the following required courses for 6 units:** | |  |
| CD 8C | Introduction to Elementary Education | 3 |
| CD 8B | Teaching Reading and Writing to Children | 3 |
| **Area B:** | |  |
| **Choose any combination of courses for a minimum of 6 units:** | |  |
| CD 2 | Early Child Development | 3 |
| CD 3 | Child Growth and Development During the School Years | 3 |
| CD 7 | Cultural Context of Child and Family in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CD 14A | Working with School-Age Children | 3 |
| CD 14B | Behavior Management Strategies for School-Age Classrooms | 3 |
| CD 31 | Tutoring School-Age Children | 1 |
| CD 40 | Child Development | 3 |
| CD 97 | Introduction to Service Learning with Children | 3 |
| PSYC 2 | Early Child Development | 3 |
| PSYC 3 | Child Growth and Development During the School Years | 3 |
| PSYC 7 | Cultural Context of Child and Family in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| PSYC 40 | Child Development | 3 |
| **Area C:** | |  |
| **Choose any combination of courses for a minimum of 6 units:** | |  |
| **Administration of Justice:** | |  |
| **Allied Health** | |  |
| AJ 20 | Juvenile Law and Procedure | 3 |
| AH 3 | The Person in the Life Cycle | 3 |
| **Art:** | |  |
| ART 25A | Art Methods | 3 |
| or CD 25A | Art Methods | 3 |
| **English:** | |  |
| ENGL 2F | Children's Literature | 3 |
| **History:** | |  |
| HIST 3 | History of California | 3 |
| **Mathematics:** | |  |
| MATH 12 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| **Kinesiology:** | |  |
| CD 6 | Games and Rhythms for Children | 3 |
| KIN 6 | Games and Rhythms for Children | 3 |
| **Theater:** | |  |
| or THEA 2A | Children's Theatre Repertory | 3 |
| **Total** | | **** |

\*BLANK to Create a Space