Early Childhood Certificate (Birth-Kindergarten)
Note: The Early Childhood Program is only open to full-time Yale undergraduates.
The Early Childhood Program offers the opportunity to combine theory and practice through field experiences at early childhood centers in New Haven. The certification program prepares candidates for a public school teaching positions in pre-K or Kindergarten settings. There are additional employment possibilities in early childhood centers, public or private. The Early Childhood Certificate is also an important credential for employment in policy or administration, or further graduate study.
Given that a total of 15 1/2 courses are needed for this certificate, the best way to complete the program is to major in psychology, because many courses overlap. If you are not a psychology major, be sure to have a fully planned program that the Director has approved.
Program Requirements:
- Content Coursework
- Five courses in human development. There are a number of courses each year that meet this requirement. The Director must approve your choice of courses.
- US History course (minimum 50 year timespan)
- Courses are available through the History, African American Studies, and American Studies departments. If you are unsure whether a certain course fulfills the requirement, check with the Director.
- Education Coursework (9 credits)
- TPRP 190a, Schools, Community and the Teacher. This is the introductory course for the program and examines key topics in education.
- TPRP 192a, Observation. 1/2 credit.
- TPRP 195b, Issues in Special Education.
- CHLD 125a, Child Development.
- CHLD 126a or b, Clinical Child Development and Assessment of Young Children. 1/2 credit.
- CHLD 127a, Early Childhood Methods.
- CHLD 128b, Language, Literacy, and Play.
- TPRP 299a or b, Student Teaching. 3 credits.
- Three additional electives in one of the following areas: Foundations of Education, Curriculum and Methods, and Field Experiences.
- Note on Student Teaching
- Student teaching takes place off-campus at a selected public early childhood setting or at the Calvin Hill Day Care Center near the Yale campus, under the supervision of the university supervisor and an experienced and qualified classroom teacher. Student teaching is done during your senior year. Most elect to student teach in the spring, but it may be done in the fall. The time each day depends on the schedule of the school.
Standard Course Sequence:
-
- Junior Year
- CHLD 125a, Child Development
- TPRP 190a, Schools, Community and the Teacher
- TPRP 192a, Observation (1/2 C)
- CHLD 126b, Clinical Child Development and Assessment of Young Children (1/2 C)
- CHLD 128b, Language, Literacy, and Play
- TPRP 195b, Special Education
- Senior Year
- CHLD 127a, Early Childhood Methods
- U.S. History (if still needed)
- TPRP 299b, Student Teaching (3 C)
