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Description

Prepare for the nationally recognized Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential—the most widely accepted certification in early childhood education. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to advance, this program helps you build essential skills, boost your confidence, and meet job qualifications. This course aims to equip early childhood educators with the skills and knowledge needed to build strong, productive relationships with families. The training will emphasize the importance of family engagement, communication strategies, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration. Participants will explore practical approaches to fostering partnerships that support children's development and well-being. 

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help! If you’d like to learn more about the CDA Prep Program or need guidance on which courses are right for you, please reach out.

Contact: Elizabeth Ireland, Program Manager Email: irelande@missouri.edu

Syllabus

Course Overview:
Prepare for the nationally recognized Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential—the most widely accepted certification in early childhood education. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to advance, this program helps you build essential skills, boost your confidence, and meet job qualifications.
 
This course aims to equip early childhood educators with the skills and knowledge needed to build strong, productive relationships with families. The training will emphasize the importance of family engagement, communication strategies, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration. Participants will explore practical approaches to fostering partnerships that support children's development and well-being.  
 
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Understand the importance and impact of family engagement on child development.
  • Recognize various family structures and their influence on children's learning. (CDA Functional Area [FA] 11)
  • Develop effective communication skills, including active listening and cultural sensitivity. (CDA FA 13)
  • Build trust and establish open, welcoming environments for family engagement. (CDA FA 11, 13)
  • Engage families in curriculum planning and encourage at-home learning activities. (CDA FA 11)
  • Support families through transitions with appropriate resources and guidance. (CDA FA 11, 13)
  • Address conflicts with families using conflict resolution techniques. (CDA FA 11,13)
  • Promote family well-being by connecting them with community resources. (CDA FA 11)
  • Reflect on personal practices to continuously improve family engagement. (CDA FA 11, 13)
  • Set professional growth goals related to family engagement and seek ongoing learning opportunities. (CDA FA 13)
  • Apply learned strategies to real-world family engagement scenarios. (CDA FA 11, 13)
 
 
Instructor(s):
Aileen Garcia and Elizabeth Ireland
 
Accommodations
University of Missouri Extension complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need accommodations in connection with participation in an educational program or you need materials in an alternate format, please notify your instructor as soon as possible so that necessary arrangements can be made. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. All requests must be made a minimum of 14 days before course start date. MU Extension will attempt to implement late requests but cannot guarantee they will be met.
 
Cancellations and Refund Requests
Access MU Extension’s Course Cancellation and Refund Policy for details.
CDA SA 4 Building Productive Relationships with Families

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