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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
C DD077Y
Course Title (CB02)
Special Projects in Child Development
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Offers an in-depth exploration of a special topic, issue or trend in the early childhood education field. It involves researching of a topic of interest to the student. Research may include a review of the literature, interviews and other fieldwork such as exploring community resources or investigating a common teaching practice for effectiveness. Meets the variable needs of students, the early childhood industry and community, and responds to a current issue, technique, or discourse. (This course meets NAEYC Standard 4c, Understanding Content Knowledge in ECE and Standard 5, Becoming a Professional; NBPTS Standards IX, Reflective Practice; and DEC-CEC Standard 9 Professional & Ethical Practice; ECE Competencies Professionalism.)
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is a stand-alone course and is CSU transferable. This course is intended to provide an opportunity for students to research a topic, critique and analyze data to shape the culture, apply learned knowledge to curriculum strategies and approaches to provide high quality early childhood education services and experiences to all children. This course counts toward units required to obtain a California Child Development Permit.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours0.00.0
Laboratory Hours9.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
108.0
Total
108.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
0.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
0.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Consent of instructor and division dean and an approved Special Projects Contract is required.)

(Not open to students with credit in C D D077., C D D077W. or C D D077X.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Other:Individual discussion sessions with student to discuss project of study

Assignments

  1. To be determined in consultation with instructor. See 3. and 4. of the Special Topics Contract.
  2. Examples of assignments such as written report of the project which will include the project findings and conclusions, written reflection paper of the project experience, development of curriculum, policy manuals and staff in-service training.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Written report of the project findings and conclusions
  2. A written reflection paper of the project experience emphasizing how the student achieved early childhood competencies and standards

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
California State Department of Education: Early Childhood Educators Competencies (2011) California State Department of Education
Mujherji, P. & Albon, D. (2014) Research Methods in Early Childhood. Sage Publications

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Course syllabus and/or course reader
Library and internet research
Supplemental reading sources
Guide for Guiding a Research Paper- APA
Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S. & Siraj-Blatchfors, I. (2010) Doing Early Childhood Research 2nd. Edition. McGraw Hill: New York

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Complete project objectives/requirements as determined in 3, 4, and 5 of the Special Projects Contract.
  • Prepare a project proposal
  • Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a project of study
  • Analyze and report the project findings

CSLOs

  • Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a proposed project of study.

Outline

  1. Complete project objectives/requirements as determined in 3, 4, and 5 of the Special Projects Contract.
    1. Research literature in journals, articles, websites as sources for topic ideas
    2. Focus on a current topic of relevance in early childhood education, early childhood mental health, early intervention, early childhood special education,or elementary education
    3. Produce a comprehensive report that responds to the project objectives/requirements including a bibliography or reference list.
  2. Prepare a project proposal
    1. Review of Guidelines for writing a professional document such as APA style and guidelines
    2. Important components of a project proposal such as a proposal summary, and resource list or bibliography
  3. Apply research strategies and techniques to complete a project of study
    1. Methods
      1. The Scientific method
      2. Child Development observational methodology overview
      3. Naturalistic observation technique
      4. Running records
      5. Interviews
      6. Action research
      7. Surveys
    2. Determine the best strategy and techniques in order to successfully complete the project of study
  4. Analyze and report the project findings
    1. Methods for documenting and organizing data for ease of use
    2. Examine the findings and draw conclusions
    3. Make a determination of who and how to share the results
    4. Reflect on the achievement of competencies and standards
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