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 provide early childhood teachers with foundational tools to create a responsive, supportive, and inclusive classroom. It uses a prevention approach based on the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) pyramid model as an inclusive framework for supporting social-emotional needs of young children. The course content focuses on universal strategies that address the foundation of the pyramid which is developing an effective ECE workforce and the first tier—nurturing and responsive relationships and creating high-quality classroom environments.
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 provide early childhood teachers with foundational tools to create a responsive, supportive, and inclusive classroom. It uses a prevention approach based on the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) pyramid model as an inclusive framework for supporting social-emotional needs of young children. The course content focuses on universal strategies that address the foundation of the pyramid which is developing an effective ECE workforce and the first tier—nurturing and responsive relationships and creating high-quality classroom environments.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Relate key concepts in child development to developmentally appropriate classroom and teaching practices (CDA FA 13)
- Recognize DAP teaching strategies (CDA FA 5, 10)
- Apply principles of child development and DAP to build relationships with young children individually and as a community of learners (CDA FA: 8; 9)
- Use knowledge of licensing regulations and DAP in designing classroom layouts that support positive behavior, learning and engagement (CDA FA 1,3,10)
- Use knowledge of child development and DAP in planning classroom routines and schedules (CDA FA 1,3)
Instructor(s):
Aileen Garvia 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.
