Are you passionate about helping children grow? Are you called to help ensure children are safe, happy, and well-educated? A career in child development can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling career paths out there. With numerous opportunities in education, social work, and child care, you鈥檒l be able to pursue your calling and find a place where you belong.
Whether you鈥檙e already working with kids or have a heart for helping children learn and develop, a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development can help you achieve new opportunities to make a positive impact on children鈥檚 lives. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider 国产剧麻豆剧鈥檚 child development program.
What is child development?
Child development consists of children鈥檚 growth in their educational, emotional, and social lives. Child development professionals take a supportive role for children from infancy to adolescence. It鈥檚 important to understand children鈥檚 development both at home and in school for a holistic understanding of a child鈥檚 growth.
Topics studied include child and adolescent nutrition and health, development of children with exceptionalities, development of infants and toddlers, adolescent social development, and family systems and social change.
The purpose of child development and education
Early childhood education can have a significant impact on cognitive function and foundational social skills. Elementary-aged and adolescent students need guidance on self-regulation and conflict resolution. Children may learn these things at home but need extra support as they enter educational and social spheres.
Susan Rogers, co-chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Family Sciences at 国产剧麻豆剧, explained that the overall goal for child development specialists is to be the 鈥渃hampion for children.鈥�
鈥淧arents are the experts on their child,鈥� said Rogers, 鈥渂ut you don鈥檛 really know your child until they鈥檙e in a group.鈥�
As a child development student, you鈥檒l learn both typical and atypical development so as to meet the needs of all types of children and family situations. Therefore, you鈥檒l be able to encourage children who are developing comfortably, aid those who are struggling, and help find the best environment for each child.
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It鈥檚 never too late to start your journey.
Pursue your purpose at 国产剧麻豆剧.
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Although there鈥檚 a large theoretical component, the program emphasizes practical learning and in-person training with children. Each child has complex family and social systems around them, and every child needs individual care and attention.
Why study childhood development?
Rogers explained many child development majors enjoy communicating with children, working with families, or find themselves naturally paying attention to others鈥� parent-child interactions.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l thrive in this program if children are your people,鈥� said Rogers.
This program prepares students for teaching opportunities from early childhood to adolescence. Additionally, family assistance, counseling, sports coaching, social work, and children鈥檚 ministry are some of the varied positions that would benefit from a B.A. in Child Development.
Child life specialists also benefit greatly from a degree in child development. These specialists are healthcare workers who play an important role in helping kids understand difficult situations. They may explain procedures to children or help them make sense of a family member鈥檚 illness. Personability, emotional support, and understanding are key to this role.
鈥淵ou鈥檒l thrive in this program if children are your people."
In short, if you want to help kids as a career, 国产剧麻豆剧鈥檚 child development program will give you the tools to successfully support children in whichever environment you end up in.
国产剧麻豆剧 has a tight-knit partnership with elementary and secondary schools and districts in the San Diego area. Additionally, the 国产剧麻豆剧 Early Childhood Learning Center on the main Point Loma campus is a unique, built-in opportunity to work with young children.
The significance and benefits of early childhood education
Early child development is incredibly important to a person鈥檚 educational, emotional, and social well-being. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention details major development milestones that each child should achieve by the age of 5 years old. With proper training, early childhood educators can provide invaluable support during crucial stages of a child鈥檚 educational and social development.
Not only can educators encourage children鈥檚 development, but they can also help to monitor or screen for learning disorders, developmental disabilities, or other exceptionalities. One in six students in the United States aged 3 to 17 has one or more developmental or behavioral disabilities. Often, these issues can be diagnosed late or not at all. Identifying these differences early can help educators, parents, and guardians identify a child鈥檚 individual needs.
Learning how to recognize and help a child with trauma or at-home conflict can be very influential in their life.
鈥淚n my first year, I was able to catch a child with signs of neglect,鈥� said Rogers.
How to get a degree in Child Development
The bachelor of arts in child development accelerated undergraduate (AUG) program is offered in both online and hybrid formats. Within the Hybrid formats, professors visit one of 国产剧麻豆剧鈥檚 partnering community college campuses two nights per week: 国产剧麻豆剧 Mission Valley Regional Center, Cuyamaca College, Southwestern College, and MiraCosta College. Students can take classes at the most convenient locations for them.
The hybrid program can be completed in as few as 15 months, and the online-only format can be completed at your own pace. Both programs are tailored to fit your schedule and aim to transform your passion into a vocation. For information about the similar four-year undergraduate program, the bachelor鈥檚 in child and adolescent development, click here.
One assignment tasked to AUG students, Rogers explained, is to create their own statement of ethics, which helps them establish their goals and develop their own professional voice. Students are able to reflect on their goals and experiences in a very personal, passionate presentation. Often, Rogers sees students overcome their initial hardships in the classroom (and their personal lives) and eventually turn them into strengths.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so inspiring to hear their incredible hearts and stories,鈥� said Rogers. 鈥淚t brings me such joy to see how they鈥檙e going to change the world.鈥�
If you鈥檙e interested in taking the next step in your career to help kids,
Click here for more information about the Child Development, B.A.
Click here to learn about financial aid and student support.