Version: 3/20/2019 2
Additional Course Information
Topical Outline: Each offering of this course must include the following topics (be sure to include information regarding lab,
practicum, and clinical or other non-lecture instruction).
1. Describe issues relating to families and communities, such as skills for child- rearing, use of media with children (TV,
computers, and internet), children with special needs, and diversity in family lifestyles and culture.
2. Evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics of a variety of family lifestyles (e.g., single parents, blended
families, dual-career families, extended families, and working parents).
3. Identify four types of child abuse (neglect, psychological, physical, and sexual) and describe the behaviors associated
with abused children and their families, as well as ways to work effectively with abusive behaviors.
4. Identify and articulate skills for effective communication with families and children such as using feedback and active
listening.
5. Identify characteristics of functional (healthy) and dysfunctional (unhealthy) families.
6. Describe the impact of the family’s culture and socio-economic status (SES) in relation to behavior and child-rearing
practices.
7. Discuss the variations in child-rearing styles of and issues faced in each unique style.
8. Read and discuss professional journals to obtain information on trends in the field.
9. Identify the alternatives for Child Care and the effects of Early Childhood Education on children, families, and schools.
10. Compare and contrast alternatives to biological parenthood (e.g., adoption, foster families, and grandparents raising
grandchildren).
In addition to the 48 hours of contact time in class (lecture/class discussions), students will participate in a minimum of
16 hours of observations in programs for children ages birth through 12 years at sites approved by the Department of
Education/Early Childhood.
National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards measured in this course:
1. Promoting child development and learning
2. Building family and community relationships
3. Observing, documenting, and assessing
4. Using developmentally appropriate approaches to connect with children and families
5. Using content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
6. Becoming a professional
Course Learning Outcomes:
Learning Outcomes – Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Identify characteristics and issues relating to diverse cultures and caregiving lifestyles.
2. Analyze ways in which factors in the home and community (e.g. parent expectations, availability of
community resources, community issues) impact learning, including an awareness of social and cultural factors
to enhance development and learning.
3. Identify and apply strategies to maintain positive, collaborative relationships with diverse families (e.g.
families with children with disabilities, poverty, single parent, cultural, homelessness, and dual-language
learners). Students will describe effective techniques to use to set up and implement successful family-teacher
conferences.
4. Investigate community/educational resources (e.g. dentist on wheels, library programs, GED programs, family
education programs, Early Childhood Intervention Strategies) to empower families to support children’s
development Students will discuss judicial rulings, state laws, and federal laws that impact families, schools, and
children.
5. Recognize signs of abuse and neglect and describe ways to work effectively with abused and neglected
children and their families.
