Child Development Microcredential
What is a Microcredential?
Whether you are looking to upgrade skills in your current profession or enter a new field, a microcredential may be for you. Microcredentials are short, industry-focused credentials designed to provide in-demand skills that reflect the “shop floor” needs of industry. They are accelerated or “bite sized” training opportunities focused on a specific professional or career discipline and can lead to a certificate or to an initial or advanced degree.
The Child Development Microcredential taught at SUNY Schenectady exceeds the 120 clock
hours of professional development required by the Council for Professional Recognition
to obtain the international CDA Credential. The Child Development Microcredential
provides 195 hours for the Infant Toddler CDA and 210 hours for the Preschool CDA
in professional development. It focuses on the six CDA Competency Standards, recognized
nationally and internationally, and established by The Council for Professional Recognition.
The program prepares students to:
- Demonstrate professional knowledge of early childhood development.
- Plan, implement, assess and evaluate a developmentally appropriate curriculum that aligns with standards set forth by National Association for the Education of Young Children, New York State Early Learning Guidelines and The NYS Prekindergarten Learning Standards, as applicable for the Preschool CDA.
- Demonstrate the skills and abilities of the effective early childhood teaching professional.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the early childhood professional dedicated to ethical practice and cultural responsiveness.
Child Development Microcredential Courses
This course examines infant and toddler development with an emphasis on the importance of the first thirty-six months in relation to human development. It emphasizes attachment, early brain research, and developmentally appropriate practices as critical factors which impact a caregiver’s role in meeting individual children’s needs. The course requires ten observation hours.
PSY 230 Child Development may be substituted. The PSY 230 course is a study into the principles of child growth and development from conception to adolescence. The course content will focus on the physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains of development. The student will be required to observe the development of a child outside the classroom in order to complete a comprehensive child study project. In order to complete this major project, 10-20 hours of outside observation are required.
Learn More
To learn more about the Child Develoment Microcredential, please reach out to Professor Tammy Calhoun at 518-381-1295 or calhoutb@sunysccc.edu, or reach out to Lauren Lankau at 518-396-5982 or lankaul@sunysccc.edu.