The Minor in Early Childhood Development will give you a deeper understanding of how young children grow and learn. The program covers key concepts in child development and explores ways to support children in homes, schools, and communities. You will learn to apply inclusive and culturally responsive strategies to help children thrive. This minor is a good fit if you are interested in education, social work, or other fields that support young children and families. This minor is recommended for students who wish to meet requirements for the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Note: CAD (Early Care & Education), CAD (Early Childhood), and Child Development Pre-K to 3rd Grade majors cannot add this minor due to duplication of course requirements
Courses
Minor in Early Childhood Development - 24 units
Students must have maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in minor courses. Consistent with current University policy, courses for meeting the requirements of this minor may, as appropriate, be used simultaneously for meeting general education including the requirement for complementary studies.
Core (15 units)
| Course | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 210 | Introduction to Applied Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
|
Select one: CAD 215 CAD 230 |
Foundations in Early Childhood Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Programs |
3 |
| CAD 260 | Children, Families, and Community: An Ecological Perspective | 3 |
| CAD 330 | Curriculum and Development in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CAD 420 | Assessment and Observation with Children | 3 |
Complete CAD 210, CAD 215 or CAD 230, and CAD 260 (or equivalents) as soon as possible, as they are prerequisites for some minor courses.
Electives (9 units)
Select 9 units from the following:
| Course | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAD 223 | Infants, Toddlers, and Families | 3 |
| CAD 280 | Early Childhood Internship (formerly CAD 610 + CAD 611) | 3 |
| CAD 326 | Developing Language and Literacy Skills in Young Children | 3 |
| CAD 410GW | Applied Developmental Science: Prenatal Through Early Childhood - GWAR | 3 |
| CAD 423 | Administration of Programs for Young Children | 3 |
| CAD 510 | Adult Supervision and Leadership in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| E ED 603 | Understanding and Supporting Children's Socio-Emotional Development | 3 |
| E ED 616 | Multilingualism and Multiliteracies in the Early Years | 3 |
| SPED 370 | Early Development and Neurodiversity | 3 |
| SPED 671 | Inclusive Social-Emotional Development & Equitable Practices for Children & Families in Early Educ | 3 |
| SPED 671 | Inclusive Learning Environments for Young Children | 3 |
| SPED 675 | Working with Families of Young Children with Disabilities | 3 |
Advising recommendations for choosing Minor Elective courses:
- CAD 280:
If you 1) haven’t completed 3 semester units of supervised field experience in an early childhood setting before, 2) if you want to work with young children and/or 3) if you want to obtain a CA Child Development Permit -
CAD 423 + CAD 510:
If you want to possibly become a site supervisor or director in the future